NEWS RELEASE

MARCH 15th, 2011…The Salvation Army Newfoundland and Labrador Division announced a new partnership with Eastern Health of Newfoundland and Labrador. The “New Hope Clinic” was officially opened on Springdale Street in St. John’s on Monday.

Eastern Health CEO, Vickie Kaminski was on hand to offer congratulations and take part in the official Ribbon Cutting. Kaminski said that the New Hope Clinic was the first of it’s kind to serve the “most vulnerable” who live in the downtown core. “These men and women face a number of challenges – often ranging from mental illness and addiction issues to illiteracy, poverty issues and housing issues – any one of which is difficult to manage on its own,” she said. “But they often go hand in hand, together forming nearly insurmountable barriers to the support systems that are there to help them.”

Kaminski said the idea is to make it easier for people who struggle with their day-to-day lives to get medical care at a convenient location, where many already go for help.

Lieut. Col. Alfred Richardson, Divisional Commander for Newfoundland & Labrador, said, “We are far beyond the days of a Band-Aid solution or a one-off handout to help people, even though they are still very necessary to meet crises. Now we need to move beyond that to get involved in a deeper way.” He said that providing these services should not be competitive, but collaborative. That’s why The Salvation Army teamed up with Eastern Health…”

The New Hope Clinic is an initiative of the Salvation Army New Hope Community Centre and the Mental Health & Addictions and Primary Health Care Programs of Eastern Health.  The goal of the New Hope Clinic is to increase access to primary health care for individuals who are not connected to a primary health care provider in the community. This service is open to adults, 18 years and older, who live and/or attend programs or services in the St. John’s Downtown Core.  Individuals requiring this service can self refer, or be referred by other agencies or health care providers.  There is also some ability to provide Walk-in Services to clients.

The New Hope Health Care Clinic, in partnership with Eastern Health, is now available to individuals in the downtown core who do not have a regular GP.  A nurse practitioner working collaboratively with GPs from the Mental Health and Addictions Program will be on site Tuesdays and Thursday between 9 am – 2:30 pm for appointments.

Services offered by the Nurse Practitioner at the New Hope Clinic may include:

Assessment and treatment of acute and uncomplicated or episodic illnesses (i.e. ordering of lab work and x-rays, treatment of infection or injuries, referral to specialists if needed etc.)

• Management of Chronic Medical Conditions (Diabetes, Hypertension, etc.)
• Men’s and Woman’s Health Care Services (Breast Exams, Pap Smears, and Prostate Exams. etc)
• Assessment and Management of Mental Health and Addiction Issues (Referrals to specialty services as indicated)
• Health Promotion and Illness Prevention Activities

Michael Pardy has already visited the nurse practitioner at the center. He was doing a course in the building, through the College of the North Atlantic, when he started to feel ill. ”I’m a diabetic. I take five needles a day,” Pardy said.

Since going to the New Hope Clinic, Michael has received assistance with an exercise program and has met with a dietician, two programs he hadn’t even known were available.

“I’ve had some women who’ve come who haven’t had a women’s health check or a pap smear done in 15 years,” said New Hope nurse practitioner Gerri Dalton. ”I’ve had other people, a gentleman in particular, who has a mental health issue, who has chronic illness and hadn’t been managed for about six or seven years in any way by a health professional.”

Two general practice doctors with Eastern Health’s mental health and addictions program will be available for consultations from a nurse practitioner who will be at the clinic two days each week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reaching out to downtown St. John’s patients – Nfld. & Labrador – CBC News.