WORCESTER, Mass. - A Worcester shelter will offer on-site medical services starting next month.

City and state leaders joined the team at South Middlesex Opportunity Council’s emergency housing triage center Monday for a ribbon cutting. The opening of the center is in response to what the shelter calls an “unprecedented” increase of homeless people in need of both emergency shelter and access to quality health care.

Family Health Center of Worcester, along with other health care agencies, will provide the services at S.M.O.C. Providers and support teams will be at the shelter each week starting at 3 p.m. so there is time for patients to access a pharmacy and medical labs following their medical visits.

“This is a critical need for a population that struggles to get access to appointments and to care,” said Sue Sleigh, COO of Family Health Center of Worcester. “So being able to connect with them where they are spending their time is really critical for their wellbeing and it’s going to have a significant impact on their wellness.”

“We’re seeing a dramatic increase in the number of people that are homeless,” said Danielle Lariviere, director of Worcester Healthcare for the Homeless. “The homeless population is really turned away from traditional health care settings, so it’s really important to get out there and to meet them where they are.”

Massachusetts Secretary of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh was also at Monday’s opening to give remarks.

The shelter has operated above capacity for the last 18 months, according to S.M.O.C., averaging 80 individuals a night.