Small investments like these can have an outsized impact towards improving community safety, individual dignity, and cost savings to the public health care system. Failure to provide front-line or prevention services that meet people where they are at results in more pressure on our emergency rooms, libraries, transit systems, and negative community impacts.
Learn more about this program here: https://www.healthiertogether.ca/
Public safety means ensuring the right service at the right time in the right place is available.
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From the Media Release:
A weekly pop-up clinic at Butler Memorial Park offering essential healthcare and other support services received more than 2,300 visits by Edmontonians experiencing homelessness in its first year of operations.
The Healthier Together: Health and Wellness Pop-up Clinic, launched last May, is held every Tuesday from 12:30 - 4 p.m. The initiative is a partnership between the City of Edmonton, Alberta Health Services (AHS), StreetWorks (operated by Boyle Street Community Services) and community collaborators, including Hope Mission, No Period Without, Radius Community Health & Healing and Radius Dental Clinic.
The clinic provides earlier and easier access to health care for people experiencing homelessness. Services include nursing assessments, wound care, health education, STI testing, blood pressure and blood sugar checks, stress management supports, referrals and preventative supplies (e.g. first aid kits, dental kits, naloxone kits, hygiene kits, feminine hygiene products, reusable water bottles, disposable water bottles, hand warmers, sunscreen, mittens, toques, socks, lice treatments and pregnancy kits).
“This milestone matters,” said Stacey Gellatly, Branch Manager, Social Development. “Over the past year, the Healthier Together clinics have shown how building trust and meeting people with respect, without judgment, can make a real difference. It’s not just about treating wounds or handing out supplies. It’s about showing up, consistently, and creating a space where people feel safe and supported. That’s how lasting change starts.”
“The Healthier Together approach enables Alberta Health Services to work collaboratively with municipal and community partners to achieve shared goals around improving the health of populations,” said Jacob Van Nest, Program Lead and Senior Consultant, Edmonton Zone Vulnerable Populations, Primary Care and Chronic Disease Management. “In Edmonton, we have co-developed a healthcare service delivery model that reduces barriers and inequities to accessing care for some of our most vulnerable community members.”
Program Impact (May 2024 – May 2025):
2,378 total visits
878 health services delivered
371 nurse consultations
5,841 preventative items distributed
80 referrals to medical, housing and social supports
91 per cent of respondents indicated that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the services received
Community feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. In addition to health improvements, clinic presence has contributed to a stronger sense of safety in the area, with fewer visible health crises and less gang-related activity reported. The program was recently highlighted at the 44th National Conference of Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC) and is serving as a model for AHS and the City for future low-barrier health outreach.
For more information:
Healthier Together Clinics
Alberta Health Services
Media contact:
Heather Curtis
Communications Advisor
Community Services
