The little clinic that could: Bringing primary healthcare to vulnerable populations, creating space for experiential learning, and supporting transformative community-based research.

The FON, recognizing the importance of including community stakeholders in the process, ensured that the voices of critical stakeholders were heard and that they had an opportunity to contribute to the generation of a service delivery model for the new healthcare facility that would meet the needs of both the university and the community. [...] One of the greatest barriers to care was the fact that the regional hospital is approximately three kilometers from the downtown; most of the homeless population do not have the means to pay for a taxi, nor bus fare, nor the health to walk up the hill. [...] “ The report went on to state, “This is an opportunity for Horizon Health Network, the Department of Health and the province of NB to commit to a partnership with community organizations, the universities and business community through the establishment of a downtown CHC. [...] While we are no longer a walk-in clinic (except for STBBI screening and to provide nursing services to members of the homeless and street involved population), we have increased the capacity of the clinic to respond to the needs of the community. [...] The purpose of the study is to collect information about the clients’ housing and health status and the pattern of service usage at the FDCHC.