Medical Clinic
Conveniently attached to the Day Shelter, an on-site Medical Clinic provides our homeless guests with access to primary care, wound care, prescription medications, and screening for chronic health conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and hypertension. In addition to individual health education and counseling, the medical staff also make regular group presentations to increase guests’ understanding of wellness and prevention opportunities.
Using a triaged first-come, first-served walk-in approach, the clinic is successful in engaging even guests who, due to mental health challenges or fear of accessing unfamiliar places, are unable to benefit from more traditional appointment-based service delivery systems. Its location within the Day Shelter enhances the medical staff’s ability to follow up with fragile clients who have chronic conditions, improving medication and treatment continuity. A full-time nurse sees homeless patients Monday through Friday on a staggered schedule that includes both daytime and evening hours in order to ensure access by the many shelter guests who are employed and must be seen outside of their work hours. A robust partnership with Cape Fear Clinic provides supplemental on-site care by a physician or nurse practitioner, ready access to pharmacy services, expedited connection to area specialists, and a continued medical home even after housing placement.
“Being able to see a nurse on-site meant I did not have to choose between getting help and getting through the day.”
Former Guest