When Candide Dias opens the door of Cool Aid’s newest mobile health clinic, powered by TELUS Health, you can see a fully outfitted doctor’s office, with an examination table, and a small reception area – a doctor’s office on wheels!
Candide is the coordinator of our outreach health services. She says, “Donors are the reason we can take health care to folks living on the street who are struggling with addiction, mental health issues, and ongoing physical challenges. In many cases, our patients don’t recognize how unwell they are. Wound care is especially important for our homeless patients because injuries can quickly become serious blood-borne infections.”
The mobile clinic team is able to treat patients almost anywhere, whether it’s in a parking lot, outside a bottle depot, or a supportive housing site. “The homeless population in Victoria has probably doubled since the start of the pandemic. There is so much need for health care, but the marginalized patients we see often face barriers and stigmatization when it comes to accessing traditional healthcare,” Candide explains.
Cool Aid’s mobile health team is trained to provide trauma-informed care to people in crisis. Candide says, “That means we build relationships with our patients. We keep a consistent schedule and the patients get to know us. We meet people where they’re at, with no judgment.” She adds, “We’ve seen a lot of people with stable housing become homeless because of renovictions. It can happen to almost anyone these days.”
From the van, doctors and nurses can do anything normally done in a brick and mortar office, including blood work, renew prescriptions and make referrals to specialists. They also have access to electronic medical records.
By funding the mobile health clinic, donors like you are helping provide immediate care to marginalized people who might otherwise end up in the hospital. “Victoria is in a health care emergency. The mobile clinic provides excellent care and it saves hospitals time and money,” Candide says. Thank you for supporting the vital work of our mobile health clinic team. They’re on the road because of you.