Additional Medical Professionals Are Needed to Meet Demand for Charlotte's Free Health Clinic

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Demand for medical care from uninsured Carolina residents at the free medical clinic that the National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC) will hold next Tuesday, Dec. 7, has been so great that all of the appointment slots have been filled. Doctors, advanced practice nurses and other medical professionals are urged to volunteer to increase the number of patients who can be seen at this clinic.  

"With the large number of uninsured people calling to register for free medical care at the clinic, we had to stop taking appointments," NAFC Executive Director Nicole Lamoureux said. "If more physicians, advanced practice nurses and other medical professionals register to volunteer, we will be able to see more people. Hundreds of doctors and other medical and non-medical people have already registered to volunteer, but we need more medical professionals to help us meet this large demand."

Currently, more than 1,000 appointments have been reserved for the clinic. If the number of volunteers increases to meet the demand of patients, more patients will be able to receive care at this event.

The C.A.R.E. (Communities Are Responding Everyday) Clinic, sponsored by the NAFC in conjunction with the North Carolina Association of Free Clinics and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) Foundation, will be held on Tuesday, December 7, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Charlotte Convention Center. Medical volunteers needed include doctors of medicine, nurse practitioners, physician's assistant, and registered nurses. Non-medical volunteers are needed to help with documentation, logistical support, patient intake and translation and more.

Medical professionals and others wishing to volunteer should register online at: www.freeclinics.us. Liability insurance is provided by the NAFC.  

Patients who do not have appointments are welcome the day of the clinic as walk-ins, however there is no guarantee of being seen. Walk-ins will be taken only on a limited first-come-first-served basis as resources are available, and long waits for these patients are to be expected.

For those who need medical help but cannot attend the clinic, information on North Carolina free clinics can be found at: http://www.ncfreeclinics.org.

About the National Association of Free Clinics:

The National Association of Free Clinics is the only nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization whose mission is solely focused on the issues and needs of more than 1,200 free clinics and the people they serve in the United States.

Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the NAFC is an effective advocate for the issues and concerns of free clinics, their volunteer workforce of doctors, dentists, nurses, therapists, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, technicians and other health care professionals, as well as the patients served by free clinics in communities throughout the nation.

For more information about the NAFC and to donate to help support the work of the organization, visit www.freeclinics.us.  

About the North Carolina Association of Free Clinics:

The North Carolina Association of Free Clinics, founded in 1998, is a private, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that conducts advocacy, research, public relations, resource development, training and technical assistance on behalf of its member free clinics and the people they serve.

SOURCE National Association of Free Clinics