TELUS expands Health for Good program in partnership with The Alex to support Calgary’s most vulnerable citizens

The Alex Community Health Bus powered by TELUS Health, a specially-equipped mobile health clinic on wheels, will provide primary healthcare services to Calgarians in need, wherever they are

CALGARY, Alberta, Jan. 21, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TELUS, in partnership with The Alex, today announced its commitment to expand the company’s innovative Health for Good program in Calgary with the launch of The Alex Community Health Bus powered by TELUS Health. The new Community Health Bus aims to enhance healthcare services for at-risk youth and individuals living with complex needs across Calgary. With the expansion of the TELUS Health for Good program, TELUS and The Alex have reaffirmed their mutual commitment to ensuring Calgarians have access to immediate, high-quality and compassionate care, including vital support for their mental health.

“At TELUS, the core of our passionate social purpose is our commitment to enabling better outcomes for our fellow Canadians,” says Jill Schnarr, Vice President, Corporate Citizenship at TELUS. “We believe that everyone should have access to healthcare when and where they need it regardless of their socio-economic status, which is why we have committed $10 million to expand our TELUS Health for Good program to communities across Canada over the next five years. As longtime partners of The Alex, we are proud and excited to support them in providing these crucial services to Calgarians in need.”

Already active in Montreal, Vancouver, Victoria, Ottawa and Waterloo Region, these state-of-the-art mobile health clinics operate in communities where frontline care is urgently needed and act as a vital link between the community and local health authority. The program helps to remove many of the barriers that Canadians living on the streets face in receiving medical care, and will support over 20,000 patient interventions per year nationwide.

Estimates show that 235,000 individuals experience homelessness in Canada in a given year. They also typically lack a documented medical history that can be referenced by healthcare practitioners. By facilitating better continuity of care, these services help those who cannot easily access traditional medical care, yet are in urgent need.

“The Alex knows that reducing barriers to health care increases positive outcomes, and that providing preventative care reduces heavy system use,” says Joy Bowen-Eyre, CEO of The Alex. “We are very excited to be partnering with the TELUS Health For Good program, as they have been a foundational supporter of the next generation of our Community Health Bus. With TELUS’ support, the bus brings a kind and welcoming face to what is an otherwise dark and difficult place for many. The bus will also extend its community reach to eight in-need high-schools in partnership with the Calgary Board of Education, supplementing the demand of our Youth Health Bus and allowing students to access a safe space to talk about health and wellness issues.”