U of A students develop an initiative to help unhoused population reach proper healthcare

With the ER crisis in Edmonton, students at the University of Alberta developed an initiative to treat the unhoused people in the city.

“Greet them and treat them.” That is the goal of more than ten students of the student advocates for public health, or saph that aim to create a healthcare facility that welcomes homeless people and be equally treated, something that Bryan Kenney, who has experienced homelessness for over 20 years would love to see as he experienced a gap in the healthcare support system.

“There’s a particular hospital I went to in 2003. I was suffering from a mild heart condition that I have. And I literally heard the nurse telling her co-worker, ‘he’s one of those people, and let’s get him out of here.’ I felt judged and very mad,” Kenney explained.

According to SAPH research, 77 per cent of the unhoused population in Edmonton are using the emergency services, with more than 9,000 patients being treated in Royal Alexandra Hospital alone. However, adding this facility as an expansion of a hospital or an existing building will save resources, according to Muskan Kang, a student advocate for public health.

“This is what we came up with, this idea, to make sure that there is a non-judgmental and unbiased atmosphere for the patients,” said Kang.

“We will reduce patients in and out in cycling, so it will save resources in the long run. Because patients will leave with a tailored plan, they won’t just leave with uncertainty and questions about what’s her next move.”

The project is the continuation of their bridge healing housing program. Doctor Louis Francescutti says that adding the ICU will result in a 75 to 80 per cent reduction in ER returns.

“Patients don’t need to come back to the emergency because they either get permanently housed or they go on to education, like we have some people come and stay with us for 60 days, and now they’re nursing students,” explained Dr. Francescutti.

The project is still a proof of concept. The bridge healing program is supported by the municipal and provincial government, and these students are hoping for additional funding from Ottawa to further develop the new program.