As people transition into the new modular housing, Fraser Health will provide a number of health care services, including primary care and support for mental health and substance use concerns. In addition, Fraser Health will continue to provide support to people in the Maple Ridge community who are homeless.
A Fraser Health nurse practitioner actively reaches out to vulnerable at-risk individuals in the community to identify and address their primary care needs, including the needs of people who have transitioned into the modular housing or are homeless. The nurse practitioner meets people wherever they are located, whether it is in new modular housing, the primary care clinic at the Salvation Army, or in the community. The nurse practitioner also provides primary care to people who are connected to the Intensive Case Management team.
If a person residing in modular housing needs support for a mental health and/or substance use concern, modular housing site staff will connect them to a case manager based in the community who will provide ongoing care. To support people who are homeless and may have mental health and/or substance use concerns, a public health nurse, mental health nurse and substance use outreach worker actively engage with people in the community who do not have housing.
The clinicians regularly interact with the homeless population, and provide harm reduction supplies and vaccinations to people as needed. When appropriate, the clinicians will connect people to primary care services, mental health services, and/or substance use services in the community and will encourage people to seek treatment in a clinical environment if a higher level of care is required.
Fraser Health will continue to provide outreach health services to people wherever they are located. These services include mental health assessments, harm reduction services, medication monitoring and provision, linkages to treatment services, and assistance in accessing primary care.