The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has committed over $400,000 to expand the Clinical Harm Reduction Outreach Team. This expansion will increase access to primary health care services for people who may be vulnerable and marginalized.
The Harm Reduction Outreach Team, which was implemented in NL Health Services’ Eastern Urban Zone in 2020, provides services including:
- A walk-in clinic.
- A street reach program.
- A shelter outreach program.
- Harm reduction supplies distribution.
- A managed alcohol program.
- Mental health and substance use counselling.
- Hepatitis C Virus and HIV diagnosis and treatment.
- Housing supports through End Homelessness St. John’s.
The funding announced today will be used to increase staffing and renovate the team’s van and equipment.
In the last year, demand for harm reduction services has increased. The team completed more than 3,400 appointments and saw approximately 980 individuals in the walk-in clinic with more individuals cared for during the team’s street walks. The harm reduction walk-in clinic is open Monday to Friday from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at 50 Mundy Pond Road in St. John’s.
The expansion is part of government’s commitment to transform the health system based on recommendations from Health Accord NL, including increasing access to community-based primary health care through innovative collaborative team-based models and to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
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“The dedicated members of the Harm Reduction Team serve our most vulnerable and marginalized. Our government is proud to support the expansion of their team and services so they can continue to provide health care and supports both at the walk-in clinic and on the streets.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services
“NL Health Services is pleased to work with government and our community partners to deliver a comprehensive service to vulnerable and marginalized persons, as well as persons who are precariously housed and homeless. Our Harm Reduction Team brings health care directly to these individuals, removing systemic barriers to access that are often felt by these populations and we look forward to the enhanced level of care we will be able to provide through this expansion.”
Ron Johnson
Chief Operating Officer – Eastern Urban Zone, NL Health Services
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