STI and blood-borne infection screening is available in local community services centres, but only for people ages 14 to 21. In Quebec, an estimated 826,829 adults who are between 22 and 45 and don’t have a family doctor aren’t eligible for this program. Instead, they often turn to walk-in clinics or emergency rooms. This overloads services, and local points of service could alleviate some of the pressure.

At CIUSSS Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, we set up screening services at local points of service, using collective prescriptions to streamline the process and improve access to care. This simple and innovative model offers comprehensive care, including testing, diagnosis and sometimes treatment, all without the need for an appointment. It makes it easier to access to care, simplifies processes and removes complex administrative steps, providing a quick and effective solution for this underserved population.

Since the launch of STI and blood-borne infection screening at local points of service on December 2, 2024, the strain on family medicine groups and emergency rooms has decreased. This has helped reduce workload for doctors and create more capacity for managing symptomatic cases. The model’s success has even inspired other institutions.

The impact has been significant. This quick, accessible and simplified solution enhances access to care for an underserved population, makes the healthcare system more efficient, streamlines resource management and reduces administrative tasks, freeing up time to focus on more complex cases.

Lead:
Saadia Marfouk, Manager, Vaccination, Screening, Public Health and Population