Clinic for homeless reopens

Eric Leake

Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2005 | 9:39 a.m.

As a homeless day laborer, Bruce McKee has neither the luxury nor the time to be sick.

"I just keep going. I can't stop now," McKee said.

McKee, 43, rested Monday in a courtyard at Salvation Army Homeless Services. Though in good health, he said the opening of the Las Vegas Outreach Clinic to for the homeless was much needed.

"They definitely need to have that," McKee said. "I'll go use it if I'm feeling sick."

The clinic opened Monday at 47 W. Owens Ave. on the Salvation Army lot to provide no-cost health services and medications to the homeless. The clinic is funded by a federal grant.

Clinic coordinator Debbie Langley said the clinic fills an important need, one that was not sufficiently met after the clinic closed seven months ago at the nearby Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada.

"There are not enough clinics. The homeless population is growing and growing," Langley said.

She said the clinic saw 10 patients Monday and set appointments for another 10. She expected visits to increase by the end of the week as word spreads.

The walls were freshly painted and computer systems not yet fully installed in the clinic when it opened Monday. With three exam rooms, a small laboratory and a pharmacy, the clinic could provide much the same service as a family practice.

"Patients come here and they feel like they're coming to a nice place," Langley said. "It's not just the service they get, it's the type of service."

Dr. Suresh Prabhu was still settling into his office when he started seeing patients Monday. The most common complaints, he said, are of chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, or those brought on by life on the streets.

"Foot infections are very common," Prabhu said. "They walk long distances. Their feet crack."

The only requirement to use the clinic is homelessness, he said. Patients otherwise might not seek any health care or end up in emergency rooms.

"We've have been trying to educate them, don't burden the emergency rooms," Prabhu said.

Added Langley, "It all comes down to patient education."

She said the challenge in homeless health care is being ready for a transient population that might not return for an appointment.

"We've lost their trust if we don't see them. A lot of them have lost trust in society," Langley said.

Nevada Rural Health, which operates the clinic, also operates the Downtown Outreach Clinic for the homeless population, Prabhu said. Similar neighborhood clinics offer services on a sliding scale.

Prabhu said the clinic works in cooperation with the county and private practices to augment homeless services.

Both he and Langley thanked the Salvation Army for renovating the clinic and hosting it. They said it was an assistance the homeless appreciate as well.

"They're very grateful. They're happy we're here," Prabhu said of his patients.

Bonnie O'Neill is staying at the Salvation Army shelter and said she does not need the clinic's services. She has Medicare and veteran's benefits.

But, O'Neill said, she recognizes the need for the clinic's services.

"A big need. A very big need," she said. "It's very sad. They can't always get the help they need.... Most of them do without or they go wait 10 to 12 hours in an emergency room."

O'Neill said the opening of the clinic was a step in the right direction. "I just hope they keep stepping along."