Telus health program to support mobile clinic in Montreal

Telus and the Old Brewery Mission have launched a second mobile health clinic in Montreal as demand for services for people experiencing homelessness rises across Quebec.

The new Old Brewery Mission Mobile Health Clinic will operate on the streets of Montreal. It will expand access to basic healthcare, harm reduction and addiction services, and administrative and housing support for people living without stable accommodation.

The new vehicle is part of the Telus Health for Good program. The telecom group will supply network connectivity and electronic medical record systems for the project. The clinic connects to the Telus Wi-Fi network, and staff will use Telus Health electronic medical record tools during visits.

The mobile clinics are operated by Old Brewery Mission staff. The charity is one of Montreal's largest providers of services for people experiencing homelessness. The first Old Brewery Mission Mobile Health Clinic began operating in April 2023.

Since then, the first unit has handled about 20,000 patient visits. Staff have provided medical care and connected people with social and housing resources. The Old Brewery Mission runs the clinic in collaboration with the provincial health network and works with several municipal services and hospitals.

Nearly 10,000 people are experiencing homelessness in Quebec. That figure has risen by about 15 per cent in the past 18 months, according to the organisations.

The organisations said the second clinic will allow the team to double the number of locations it visits each week. The service will now be able to see up to 12 sites weekly across the city.

They expect the extra capacity will also double the number of people using the service. The clinics will focus on people facing multiple challenges, including mental health conditions and substance use.

James Hughes, Chief Executive of the Old Brewery Mission, said the expansion strengthens outreach efforts.

"With this second mobile clinic, we are strengthening our capacity to meet the most vulnerable people where they are, and to offer them personal and practical support. We can now further connect with this population and work to find solutions that preserve dignity," said Hughes.

Telus said the Montreal project forms part of a national initiative. The Health for Good program has supported more than 330,000 patient visits across Canada since 2014.

Of that total, over 30,000 visits took place in Quebec. The program has backed services in 27 communities across the country.

The new Montreal unit is a custom-built vehicle designed by ékm Architecture. It includes space for clinical consultations and private conversations.

Teams on board will provide primary healthcare and nursing services. They will also distribute harm reduction materials and offer addiction-related support.

Staff will give information about treatment options and referrals as well as guide people through government and healthcare processes. Clients will receive administrative support for identity documents and benefits. The team will also offer housing, legal information, and referrals.

Partners include the CIUSSS Centre-Sud, Montreal's public transport operator, STM, the city's police service, and CHUM hospital. Local outreach workers also connect people to the mobile teams.

The organisation's plan to increase the range of locations visited as the new unit enters service. They expect the two clinics will become a regular presence across more neighbourhoods in Montreal over the coming months.