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The Scarborough Center for Healthy Communities (SCHC) is taking health care to the doorsteps of residents in Kennedy Park, across the street with the help of its mobile health unit.
in 2024 Ontario College of Family Physicians found that more than 500,000 Torontonians do not have a family doctor and that number is projected to increase to one million by 2026.
Canadian Institute for Health Information say that the lack of access to primary care from a family physician or nurse practitioner is directly related to overcrowded emergency departments.
In Scarborough, more than 13 percent Residents lack access to primary care. Therefore, SCHC decided to take a different approach by using a mobile health unit.
Chandra Roberts, director of community health teams at SCHC, says, “When you have food insecurity and housing instability, your first priority is not your health. That’s how I’m going to put food on the table for myself.” [family]And how do I pay my rent and keep a roof over my family’s head, and that’s the work we’re doing with our partners in Scarborough that is really closing those gaps.
mobile health unit Was launched in 2022. It provides free blood pressure checks, diabetes education, harm reduction supplies, mental health support, clothing and snacks.
Unit stops from Monday to Friday neighborhood improvement area (NIA), which includes Kennedy Park, West Hill, Woburn and Eglinton East.
Kennedy Park resident Leon Carpenter says there are a lot of people in his building who are elderly or have mental health issues, and they may not want to leave their residence for a checkup.
“Having someone to really check in on people with mental health [issues] “It is very important,…if it is on your doorstep, why wouldn’t you take advantage of it.”
In June 2025, the Ontario government passed Primary Care Act 2025Which aims to improve access, convenience and inclusivity in primary care.
“People face a lot of barriers, whether it’s geographic, there are a lot of people with disabilities in these buildings… there are a lot of people who don’t trust the health care system. So confronting that really allows us to build that trust and build those relationships where they feel more comfortable coming out,” says Bjorn Poysa, program coordinator for SCHC’s mobile health unit.
In December 2025, SCHC will launch its first full-service mobile health clinic, equipped with an exam table, equipment, and a vaccine fridge and supply storage.