Doctors offering primary and specialty care throughout the city's shelter system are seeing positive results.
The Windsor Shelter Health Associates has been operating under the Homeless Shelter Alternate Payment Plan Agreement since 2024.
"We're seeing more people coming in, there's more trust that's been built and that's actually a large component of it because when we build trust then we can encourage people to continue to come in. That is going to lead to improved health outcomes, more preventative care and so a lot less catching up afterwards," said Dr. Jennifer Bondy, Medical Director for the Windsor Shelter Health Associates.
Dr. Bondy has been offering her services at the city's shelters since 2021 but only started receiving payment last year.
Now the provincial government is providing up to $3.88 million for continued funding for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
"This means we are going to be able to continue to provide services. We can future plan and we can ensure that we have programs that are developed with our partners knowing that we're going to be able to continue the work that we're doing," said Dr. Bondy.
The doctors also work with Windsor Regional Hospital to keep electronic medical records to offer a continuum of care to patients.
The 11 physicians see around 200 unique patients each month. All of the services are offered without appointments and without the need of a health card.
"We need to go to where the person is to find the person where they are and offer them service there and that brings us to the concept of the hart hubs and having the services available in an accessible place where there are next to no barriers," said Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie.
The initiative has already seen positive results since it officially began operations.
"We've observed a reduction in emergency department use for issues that are now being addressed on site, in shelters. We've seen improvements in medication adherence and better follow-up on both chronic issues and acute health issues," said Nicole Sbrocca, CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association Windsor-Essex Branch.
