SC Connecticut News

Homeless Patient-Aligned Care Teams (HPACT) at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System in West Haven have taken a significant step in expanding their services to veterans experiencing homelessness. The initiative was born out of the recognition of the limitations in providing care to those who are unable to access traditional healthcare settings. According to Caroline Falker, MD, the new medical director of HPACT, the team was determined to address these challenges by introducing new services.

Falker expressed the team's motivation behind the initiative, stating, "There are barriers to accessing the clinic that are more than distance... How do we actually staff two places at once?" The HPACT National Program secured funding through the American Rescue Plan to create mobile medical units for use across the country. Falker highlighted the importance of consistency in providing care through these units, emphasizing the need to stick with chosen locations to ensure ongoing support for veterans.

The mobile medical unit, a 27-foot Ford F-550, is equipped with essential services such as point-of-care testing for influenza A, influenza B, and COVID-19, vaccinations, and blood draws. Falker underscored the team's commitment to maintaining the same level of care on the mobile unit as in their brick-and-mortar clinic, aiming to engage with veterans in various parts of the state, particularly those at risk of homelessness.

HPACT's services on the mobile medical unit include primary care, addiction medicine, and referrals to other specialties. Falker shared the team's aspirations of expanding services to include mental health care, envisioning having a mental health provider join them part-time on the mobile unit. Additionally, collaborations with other VA departments are being explored to enhance the support provided to patients during mobile outreach.

The initiative by HPACT West Haven marks a crucial milestone in improving access to healthcare for veterans experiencing homelessness. By leveraging mobile health services, the team is dedicated to delivering consistent and comprehensive care to underserved populations across the state, embodying the core mission of HPACT to support those in need.

For more information about the Department of Internal Medicine at Yale School of Medicine, visit their website.