June 2, 2020
What attracted you to Cool Aid and the Community Health Centre?
As someone who has worked in the community health centre sector for 17 years, I knew of Cool Aid well before I moved back to Victoria in 2012. Cool Aid was and still is widely regarded as a leader in community health centres across Canada. After obtaining a Master’s in Health Administration and working in Ontario with a focus on advocacy, engagement and operational planning, I now have my dream job here at Cool Aid’s Community Health Centre.
How are Community Health Centres different from medical clinics?
One of the pillars of the Community Health Centre’s model of care is that it’s governed by a community board, which gives the community a say in how to best serve people’s needs. The big difference is that a community health centre is not a fee-for-service model. It’s staffed by a team of providers funded to provide the care that the individual client needs. It could be a doctor, but it also could be a nurse, physiotherapist, counsellor, or other team member. This largely influences the quality of care we provide.
What’s different about Cool Aid’s Community Health Centre?
Cool Aid’s Health Centre is one of only a few in BC. What makes it unique is its connection to a larger organization that provides supportive housing. This means we can tie healthcare to Cool Aid’s clients and offer care planning for people with complex needs (known as ‘wrap around service’) that ultimately lead to better patient outcomes. Another critical aspect is the Cool Aid Dental Clinic. To be able to offer low income dental care is essential for an individual to take the next positive steps in life.
What is the Centre’s response to COVID-19?
Fortunately, Cool Aid has infectious disease expert Dr. Chris Fraser on staff. He knew weeks in advance this pandemic was coming and ensured that the Health Centre immediately put distancing measures in place. This preparedness was fundamental in helping us get through this situation while continuing to provide quality care.
We’re also taking measures like delivering advice by phone and email. Virtual kiosks were installed at the shelter sites for live meetings with doctors, and social distancing protocols were implemented for urgent in-clinic appointments.
Cool Aid is also pivoting its strategy to accommodate the population of homeless encampments that were at Topaz Park and along Pandora Avenue. With 360 individuals relocated into new hotel rooms organized by BC Housing, Cool Aid has stepped up to serve as their main healthcare provider.
A team of Cool Aid nurses and medical staff are offering primary care, such as wound care and general medical care to three hotel sites. They’re also providing medical outreach at smaller sites, including Cool Aid’s newest shelter on Yates Street for women.
We are grateful to have a whole project outreach team composed of powerhouse frontline workers. From the moment a patient walks into the clinic, even during this time of distance and isolation, our medical team is providing the human connection and care people need to help manage their illness, anxiety and fear.
