About a month in, a Sarnia-Lambton paramedic and hospital worker team, recently formed to help care for the county’s homeless, has been mostly treating wounds
About a month in, a Sarnia-Lambton paramedic and hospital worker team, recently formed to help care for the county’s homeless, has been mostly treating wounds.
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“I think we recognized that there are some complex health-care needs,” said Anita Trusler, crisis system navigation program manager with Lambton Emergency Medical Services, about the impetus for the Community Health Integrated Care team she helps oversee.
A three-year pilot with $2.5 million in provincial funding started making rounds June 7, she said, visiting people camped in Sarnia’s Rainbow Park, at the Housing and Homelessness Resource Centre in the city, local shelters, and other areas in the county for assessments, changing bandages and other care.
Out of 120 assessments so far—not including building trust providing things like food and water—60 per cent have been for wound care, she said.
“I don’t think I’m surprised,” Trusler said.
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“I think it’s just validating the need that was identified … we have some folks out there with really serious wound care needs.”
Other interactions include wellness checks, including post-overdose, and connecting people with withdrawal management programs, she said, noting having substance-use navigators from Bluewater Health on the team has been key to getting people quick access.
“We’re able to meet them in a moment when they’re ready and be able to provide that support and get a taxi and go with them,” she said.
Two members work as a CHIC team 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week, Trusler said, noting those hours are based on 911 call data as key for addressing overdoses and mental health support needs.
Four paramedics and five hospital workers combine to cover shifts, she said.
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The team also works closely with a county-traveling MobileCare bus team that includes a nurse practitioner, providing referrals for followup, she said.
“A lot of support in following up with antibiotic and medication compliance because a lot of the individuals we’re supporting … as much as somebody can be provided with medical advice, they’re not going to go to the hospital most of the time,” she said.
Reception so far to team members from people has been mostly positive, she said.
Some decline offers of help, she said.
“It takes time to build those trusting relationships, but,” she added, “she’s seen a lot of positive interactions too.
“When I was out in the field with the team, it was wonderful to see groups of individuals come forward and say ‘the CHIC team is here,’” she said. “It was really positive.”
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The program is designed to fill the care gaps and works closely with, Lambton County social service teams, mental-health focused teams pairing police officers with Canadian Mental Health Association workers, and others, she said.
Referrals continue through those partner group, Trusler said, noting the CHIC team is still building up and still identifying its scope.
“We’re formalizing our medical directives right now and we’re looking at how we can start working with our emergency department” to follow up with people of no fixed address discharged from hospital emergency, she said
“That’s our next step.”
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