January 19, 2016
Province Announces New Mobile Clinic to Serve Manitobans in Interlake-Eastern Region
– – –Convenient New Primary Care Option for Manitobans Living in Smaller Communities: Minister Blady
Province Announces New Mobile Clinic to Serve Manitobans in Interlake–Eastern Region
The last of three mobile clinics will arrive this month in the Interlake-Eastern region and clinic staff will begin seeing patients in early 2016, Health Minister Sharon Blady announced today.
“Mobile clinics are primary care clinics on wheels that give Manitobans in rural communities a convenient option for their health-care needs closer to home,” said Minister Blady. “Our government is proud to now have three mobile clinics to serve Manitobans living in rural communities and provide even better access to quality care no matter where they live.”
The minister said starting in early 2016, the Interlake-Eastern mobile clinic will gradually introduce services in the communities of Gypsumville, Seymourville, Prawda and Grand Marais initially and it will visit more communities over time. Although the mobile clinic will stop in these initial communities, residents in surrounding communities are welcome to access mobile clinic services.
The minister acknowledged the work to date with communities and Regional Health Authority (RHA) staff to prepare for the arrival of the mobile clinic.
“We feel quite fortunate to be able to offer the mobile clinic as an option to residents in our region who will benefit from its accessible and reliable health-care services,” said Ron Van Denakker, CEO, Interlake-Eastern RHA. “We thank our partner communities for their work invested with us to prepare appropriate sites to regularly host the mobile clinic and all of the requirements that come along with something so unique as a mobile clinic.”
Staffed by a nurse practitioner, a registered nurse and a driver, and equipped with two examination rooms, the new Interlake-Eastern RHA mobile clinic will allow staff to offer services ranging from regular checkups to treating minor ailments and helping people manage a chronic disease or other serious conditions.
Nurse practitioners with the mobile clinic will be able to prescribe medications, can order and review results of diagnostic tests for their patients, and can refer patients to specialists. Registered nurses will also be available to manage minor health issues and provide ongoing support.
The minister said patients will be able to book an appointment by calling a toll-free number at the regional health authority when the clinic is up and running later this year. Schedules will be provided in these communities as services are introduced. Details will be advertised locally and same-day appointments will be available. Health Links–Info Santé will also be able to inform Manitobans of the clinic’s schedule.
Manitoba’s first two mobile clinics have been operating in the Prairie Mountain Health and
Southern–Santé-Sud regions since 2014. These clinics have helped connect many Manitobans to primary care services, the minister said, adding that patient feedback has been very positive since the clinics first hit the road.
Once in full service, each clinic is expected to be the primary care home for 1,000 Manitobans who currently do not have their own family doctor or nurse practitioner. Those who visit the clinic and have their own primary care provider will be asked if they want a report of the visit sent to their regular provider to ensure ongoing care if required.
For more information about mobile clinics visit: www.gov.mb.ca/health/primarycare/public/access/mobile.html.
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