Caritas provides healthcare access for the homeless

Since this winter, Caritas of the Archdiocese of Prague has been operating a medical treatment room directly in its facility in Karlín. It provides medical care to homeless people, which is often inaccessible to them due to practical and psychological barriers.

The people without homes are cared for in the new treatment room by registered nurse Bc. Karolína Wichová, who primarily focuses on caring for chronic wounds, such as leg ulcers or diabetic gangrene, treating minor injuries, and patient education. During the winter months, the number of people with respiratory infections increases.

„By far the most common problem is chronic wounds. They are often related to other health issues, such as high blood pressure or diabetes,“ says Karolína Wichová. „Therefore, I explain to patients that a bandage alone is not enough, and I help them register with a general practitioner who addresses their overall health condition.“

Barriers on the way to the doctor

When the care in her treatment room is not sufficient, the nurse refers the patient to a hospital. However, she contacts the medical facility beforehand, verifies capacity, and provides necessary information. „It helps with staff preparation and contributes to destigmatization,“ explains Karolína Wichová, who encounters the fact that contact with institutions is made difficult for homeless people by prejudices, experiences with rejection, and feelings of shame. At the same time, there are a number of practical barriers, such as missing identity documents, problems with registering with a general practitioner, or inability to attend check-ups regularly.

The nurse fully realized the importance of this coordinating role recently. A patient came with a chronic wound in such a serious condition that she had to immediately send him to a surgical clinic and subsequently to a chronic wound clinic. „That’s when I realized how crucial the first-contact healthcare worker is,“ she says. „People on the street often don’t know how and where to seek help.“

From the hospital to homeless people

It was precisely the opportunity to work independently and see the direct impact of her efforts that brought Karolína Wichová to work with homeless people. „After several years in the hospital, I realized I was missing the opportunity to function more operatively and autonomously and to use my theoretical knowledge and clinical practice where I feel it is most needed. Here my work has concrete meaning.“