It's being called ground-breaking work.
A small and mighty team of Interior Health physicians and nurse practitioners are going above and beyond in supporting some of the region’s most vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The devoted group are supporting people who are impacted by the poisoned drug supply crisis and have to isolate due to a positive COVID-19 test, by meeting them where they are.
An initiative led by the Mental Health and Substance Use Network brought together the group of health-care professionals who are providing coverage seven days a week to ensure people across the region have access to prescribed safer supply when needing to isolate.
“It is clear by the increasing death rates across the province that the drug supply has become even more toxic,” says Corinne Dolman, Interior Health's Manager of Substance Use Services. “This service is imperative not only to ensure people are able to isolate and reduce the transmission of COVID-19 but also to prevent high risk withdrawal from substances.”
The program has already worked with people in Vernon, Penticton, Trail, Kamloops and other parts of the region who may be at increased risk of overdose, withdrawal, cravings and other harms related to substance use.
“This vulnerable population has suffered increased isolation and stigma throughout the pandemic. The hard work and efforts to provide prescribed safer supply and other treatment medications has truly made all the difference. We have been able to reach this at-risk group and create connections for ongoing support that many did not have before,” says Pam Ruby, Interior Health’s Regional Pandemic Health Coordinator.
The program will continue until December 31, 2021.
“This is an innovative strategy that allows the vulnerable population to isolate with the added benefit of connecting the clients to addictions and harm reduction services across the entire region. This reduces barriers to care allowing the vulnerable population access to this much needed service. This is a ground-breaking innovation,” said Brent Hobbs, MHSU Network Director for Pandemic Isolation Centres.
