The HEART project demonstrated that there are significant challenges to healthcare for the homeless in the Niagara Region, especially with regard to access and discharge from hospitals, adequate and comprehensive psychiatric and mental health services across service providers, and availability and continuity of care from family doctors. The regional health system, community health leaders, social service agencies, and other stakeholders should consider targeted research and policy interventions to address issues of access to hospital- and community-based care for the homeless in Niagara. The HEART program’s innovative ‘patient-centered policy-making’ approach combines participatory action research, public advocacy, and research-based, ‘legislative’ theatre to achieve this goal. This report recommends eight policy solutions that were generated by the homeless community, healthcare providers, and medical and nursing students in St. Catharines, ON. They were assisted by a panel of expert policymakers from the HNHB LHIN, Niagara Health, social service agencies, municipal and regional government, and the community.
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The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness is the largest national research institute devoted to homelessness in Canada. The COH is the curator of the Homeless Hub.
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About UsCanadian Observatory on Homelessness
The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness is the largest national research institute devoted to homelessness in Canada. The COH is the curator of the Homeless Hub.
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