Edmonton grad students propose first ICU for homeless, aiming to cut emergency service strain.

University of Alberta graduate students are pushing for Edmonton's first ICU specifically for unhoused individuals, aiming to provide specialized care and reduce pressure on emergency services. Currently, 77% of unhoused people in Edmonton use emergency services, 8.5 times more than the general population. The proposed ICU would integrate medical care with addiction recovery, mental health support, and transitional housing, potentially easing the $7.5 billion annual cost to the Canadian healthcare system.