The homeless have increasingly complex health problems that encompass chronic health, mental illness and addiction issues. Providing integrated health care to clients is a critical component of sustaining and improving an individual’s health and wellness.
The DI is committed to meeting clients’ health care needs through the provision of core primary health care services premised on an integrative medicine model that assists them in addressing overall health care needs. The Wellness Centre continues to grow and expand to meet the diverse health care needs of our clients ranging from annual physicals to prescription coverage, to mental health services, palliative care and much more.
The Wellness Centre is staffed by a team of health professionals providing health care services 7 days a week from 9:00a-7:00p. Emergency health care services are also available on an as needed basis. The Health Care Team is comprised of 2 Physicians, 2 Registered Nurses and a Medical Office Assistant. The team is supported by allied professionals who provide services on-site on a scheduled basis throughout the week. These include: a specialized Wound Care Nurse, a Chronic Disease Management Nurse, a Diabetic Program Team, a Behavioural Health Consultant, a Psychiatrist, a Chiropractor and Massage Therapist. Referrals to any allied health care professional can be obtained through contacting the Medical Office Assistant Monday-Friday 8:30a-4:30p.
Hours of Operation
On-site Physician Clinic hours are offered weekly for both appointments and walk-ins as follows:
- Monday – 1:00p-5:00p
- Tuesday – 1:00p – 5:00p
- Wednesday – 11:00a-6:00p
- Thursday – 1:00p-5:00p
All Medical Services are provided through the Wellness Centre Offices located on the 1st Floor. Allied health professional services are available by referral on-site during the following hours:
Behavioural Health Consultant
- Monday – 9:00a-12:00p
Chronic Disease Management Nurse
- Tuesday – 8:00a-12:00p
Wound Care Clinic
- Thursday – 8:00a-12:00p
Diabetic Program
- Flexible Hours by referral
Massage Therapy
- Wednesdays by appointment via Medical Office Assistant
Psychiatrist
- By appointment
Safeworks
Safeworks is a service offered by the Calgary Health Region (CHR) that is ‘jointly operated with the Communicable Disease Control unit and aims to reduce the incidence of HIV for substance users and their partners through a mobile needle exchange and disposal service’ (CHR. 12/01/2005. website).
Additionally, Safeworks is a prevention and education program focused on reducing harm related to substance abuse and other risky lifestyle choices amongst the homeless population. These include, but are not limited to:
- Harm related to HIV infection and transmission
- Harm related to Hepatitis B and C infection and transmission
- Harm related to wound infection
- To promote respectful and compassionate, nonjudgmental holistic care
- To provide service that accommodates cultural and economic needs
- To bring people and agencies together to provide the best possible information and services to clients
hours of operation
- Monday-Friday from 9:00a-12:00p – Riverfront – 1st Floor Wellness Centre
- Saturdays from 12:00p-3:00p – Riverfront – 1st Floor Wellness Centre
Street Outreach and Stabilization (SOS)
The Street Outreach Stabilization (SOS) nurse, working with Canadian Mental Health and through the CHR’s 8th & 8th Clinic, offers mental health services to those who are residents and clients of The DI.
Hours of Operation:
- 6 hours per week on a drop-in basis or by referral from the DI staff – Riverfront Avenue, Main floor, Nurses Office
