Day Health Program Launches Seven Day Service

“Some people used to show up here and not know that it was the weekend and wonder why we weren’t open,” says Dianne Simpson, Day Health Coordinator at the Dr. Peter Centre. “And when you think about it, it makes sense; HIV doesn’t take the weekends off, nor do hunger, poverty and mental health issues. Our clients need support seven days a week, not just Monday to Friday.”

“I remember the buzz that first Saturday we were open last December,” says the Dr. Peter Centre’s Director of Operations, Rosalind Baltzer Turje. “Half an hour before we opened, the lobby was packed with people waiting to come in. We’ve been saying for years that we needed to be open on the weekends and that first morning made it so clear.”

For Rosalind, daily service in the day health program means more opportunities to build relationships and engage people in their health care. “Now we can offer uninterrupted access to good meals, counselling, therapies and nursing. It’s crucial for all of the supports we offer at the Centre and especially so for HIV medication. We have an excellent HIV medication support program and many of our clients need that support on a daily basis to maintain their medication regime.”

Daily service offers peace of mind according to Dianne: “People wake up and know that they’re going to be okay – they’re going to have a meal and have somewhere to go – and there’s comfort in that.”