U of A students propose specialized ICU for homeless Edmontonians

With one successful project under their belt, students in an advocacy class at the University of Alberta are making a new pitch to advance care for homeless emergency room patients.

On Tuesday, Student Advocates for Public Health laid out their vision for a specialized intensive care unit to treat the growing number of unhoused patients who disproportionately rely on emergency services.

The proposed 24/7 facility would offer a trauma-informed, multi-disciplinary approach aimed at improving outcomes for unhoused people and reducing the strain on Alberta's health-care system.

"Let's not treat them and street them. Let's greet them and treat them," said Imrose Bhullar, a public health master's student and member of Student Advocates for Public Health.

The team says their proposal is the first of its kind in Canada and builds on the success of the Bridge Healing Transitional Accommodation Program proposed by students from the same advocacy class in 2017.

The Bridge Healing Transitional Accommodation Program has transferred more than 300 unhoused ER patients directly into transitional housing since its launch in 2023.

In Alberta's February budget, the program received $1.8 million to continue its work, which has also been supported by private donors and the City of Edmonton.

The group cited research that found unhoused individuals rely on emergency services at a rate 8.5 times higher than the general population and said having a specialized ICU for people experiencing homelessness should be the next step, the group said. 

"This crisis doesn't just affect unhoused individuals, it affects the entire health-care system," Bhullar said.

"Health-care workers are burned out, care is being delayed and patients are slipping through the cracks."

'We don't have enough capacity': ER physician

The team recommended an approach that would connect patients to a continuum of care through health-care providers, social workers, housing navigators and rehabilitation

They proposed the creation of a 90-bed facility as an extension at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, which sees the most visits from unhoused patients annually in the province. 

"There has been a surge in homelessness and substance use. We don't have enough capacity to meet the needs," said Dr. Robert Wittmeier, an emergency room physician based at the Royal Alex.

"It would be far better to bring people to a site like this where they have consistent expert care."

Among the proposal's fans is Bryan Kenny, who overcame chronic homelessness, substance use and mental illness to become an outreach worker.

"This project lined with bridged healing is going to close that gap," said Kenny, who works with AAWEAR, a peer-support group offering support to Albertans who use or used drugs.

"[To] give the people the necessary help that they need, feel heard, feel respected, feel understood and loved in some cases."