A new mobile clinic is bringing healthcare and substance use support directly to some of the region’s most vulnerable residents in Lanark, Grenville and Leeds.
The Lanark Integrated Frontline Team, known as LIFT, began operating in mid-December and visits encampments, supportive housing sites and other community gathering spaces across the region.
Lanark County Mental Health executive director Garry Laws explains
The mobile team includes a nurse practitioner, paramedic and social worker, offering healthcare, harm reduction and social services. Laws tells us how the service got off the ground with a large dose of collaboration.
Local data shows opioid and drug toxicity remain a growing concern, with an average of more than 11 emergency department visits and nearly two hospital admissions each week over the past year. LIFT is a partnership involving Lanark County Mental Health, Lanark County Paramedic Service, Lanark County and the South East Public Health Unit, with funding provided through Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program.
Paramedic Chief, Travis Mellema notes the team was chosen to meet the needs.
Early results for LIFT, from December 15th to March 30th, show strong uptake with 439 visits with 73 individuals, 45 nurse practitioner visits provided to 17 clients, and 6 clients who previously avoided emergency department visits and/or 911 calls, received care.
Story by Brian Turner
