Doctors of the World deployed a Mobile Health Clinic in Victoria, British Columbia in Spring 2018 to provide primary health care to our most marginalized community members.
Doctors of the World operates a Mobile Health Clinic that travels Greater Victoria, including Sidney and Sooke, offering primary health care to people in need where they are: in parks, shelters, streets…
The Clinic is staffed by a Registered Nurse with support from outreach workers and volunteers. We work with more than 10 community partners to ensure our services are complementary and help bridge the gaps in primary care services.
WHO WE SERVE
People accessing the Clinic often face challenges:
The needs of marginalized people in Victoria
Doctors of the World Canada conducted a needs assessment in September 2016 in Victoria BC. Findings showed that people who urgently needed support for healthcare services included:
In the context of the province facing a shortage of health care professionals, these marginalized groups face additional challenges when accessing the public health system. Focus groups conducted during the need assessment highlight the lack of culturally and ethnically sensitivity of the public system health providers, posing a significant barrier to marginalized people reaching out for services.
WHAT WE DO
Doctors of the World focus on harm reduction, health promotion and education to empower and support people to take care of themselves and reduce risks.
Aboard the Clinic, in a private and safe environment, Nurses develop relationships, provide care, and listen without judgment.
The contribution of community partners and volunteers is essential to the intervention model. A volunteer and/or outreach worker from a community partner is onboard for each outing. Volunteers assist the Nurse by welcoming people, distributing information and harm reduction supplies and creating a supportive space.
Services onboard include:
Since the beginning, in 2018:
452 Outings
4160 Visits to the Mobile Health Clinic
1062 Consultations with the nurse (in 2018 & 2019)
1346 Individuals visited the Mobile Health Clinic (in 2018 & 2019)
By making a donation, you contribute to the Mobile Health Clinic in Victoria, BC providing our most marginalized community members with access to healthcare.
Please email the Volunteer & Logistics Manager (Victoria, BC) at victoria@doctorsoftheworld.ca
*VOLUNTEER PROGRAM UPDATE IN RESPONSE TO COVID 19*
Please note, we are not actively recruiting nor receiving applications for new volunteers at this time.
Information about volunteer positions and the application process will be posted here once volunteer recruitment recommences. We appreciate your patience and understanding during these unfamiliar times.