A guide on how to establish and operate a free health clinic in your community, covering patient profiling, funding, location selection, staffing, supplies, and partnerships.
If your community has been hit hard by job losses and the reduction of employee benefits such as health insurance, local residents are likely to benefit from the establishment of a free health clinic.
It is important to draw an accurate profile of your patient base so that you can adequately stock and staff your free health clinic. Will your clientele be primarily bilingual? Will they be patients of all ages, as opposed to one particular demographic such as the elderly or children? Do you want your clinic to specialize in a particular niche like women's health care? Area hospitals and your local health department can provide a clearer picture of the uninsured patient population most likely to patronize a free health clinic in your area.
The estimated cost of running a free health clinic one day a week averages as much as $5,000 using volunteer help, so you will want to create a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization for tax purposes and tap into as many fundraising and networking channels as you have available.
See if a local hospital is willing to offer space for your free clinic before you begin scouting other locations. If not, make sure that you select a facility that is easily accessible to public transportation, has enough room to accommodate a waiting area as well as two exam rooms and an on-site restroom, and is accessible for individuals with disabilities. Ask an insurance specialist for guidance regarding securing property insurance as well as malpractice insurance to cover the healthcare practitioners who volunteer at the clinic.
In addition to securing the volunteer services of a team of doctors and nurses to staff the clinic, you will likely need administrative support, legal assistance, accounting help, and guidance from individuals experienced in marketing and fundraising. Fundraising must be an ongoing activity, as you will need to solicit donations and funds constantly to keep the clinic viable and open.
Office and medical supplies necessary to stock the free health clinic may include a reception desk, reception chairs, waiting room chairs, exam tables, lighting, filing cabinets, and other medical equipment such as thermometers, blood pressure gauges, and basic first-aid supplies. Some or all of these may be donated by a local hospital or secured from wholesalers either as donations or at reduced rates for nonprofit organizations.
Establish a partnership with your local pharmacy to secure free pharmaceutical samples and to set up a system for patient prescriptions.
Host several high-visibility special fundraising events, such as community picnics and entertainment events, as a way to announce that your free clinic is opening for business.
How to Open a Free Health Clinic
A guide on how to establish and operate a free health clinic in your community, covering patient profiling, funding, location selection, staffing, supplies, and partnerships.
If your community has been hit hard by job losses and the reduction of employee benefits such as health insurance, local residents are likely to benefit from the establishment of a free health clinic.
It is important to draw an accurate profile of your patient base so that you can adequately stock and staff your free health clinic. Will your clientele be primarily bilingual? Will they be patients of all ages, as opposed to one particular demographic such as the elderly or children? Do you want your clinic to specialize in a particular niche like women's health care? Area hospitals and your local health department can provide a clearer picture of the uninsured patient population most likely to patronize a free health clinic in your area.
The estimated cost of running a free health clinic one day a week averages as much as $5,000 using volunteer help, so you will want to create a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization for tax purposes and tap into as many fundraising and networking channels as you have available.
See if a local hospital is willing to offer space for your free clinic before you begin scouting other locations. If not, make sure that you select a facility that is easily accessible to public transportation, has enough room to accommodate a waiting area as well as two exam rooms and an on-site restroom, and is accessible for individuals with disabilities. Ask an insurance specialist for guidance regarding securing property insurance as well as malpractice insurance to cover the healthcare practitioners who volunteer at the clinic.
In addition to securing the volunteer services of a team of doctors and nurses to staff the clinic, you will likely need administrative support, legal assistance, accounting help, and guidance from individuals experienced in marketing and fundraising. Fundraising must be an ongoing activity, as you will need to solicit donations and funds constantly to keep the clinic viable and open.
Office and medical supplies necessary to stock the free health clinic may include a reception desk, reception chairs, waiting room chairs, exam tables, lighting, filing cabinets, and other medical equipment such as thermometers, blood pressure gauges, and basic first-aid supplies. Some or all of these may be donated by a local hospital or secured from wholesalers either as donations or at reduced rates for nonprofit organizations.
Establish a partnership with your local pharmacy to secure free pharmaceutical samples and to set up a system for patient prescriptions.
Host several high-visibility special fundraising events, such as community picnics and entertainment events, as a way to announce that your free clinic is opening for business.
How to Open a Free Health Clinic
By Howtodotips
A guide on how to establish and operate a free health clinic in your community, covering patient profiling, funding, location selection, staffing, supplies, and partnerships.