NIAGARA, Ont. — Telus and Regional Essential Access to Connected Health Niagara (REACH Niagara) announced today they have partnered to bring primary care to underserved people in the Niagara Region via a mobile health clinic (pictured above).
“The REACH Niagara Mobile Health Clinic, powered by Telus Health, is a specially-equipped clinic on wheels that provides trauma-informed, primary medical treatments, mental health services, addiction support and Covid-19 screening directly to those who need it most,” reads a Telus press release.
“At Telus, we believe that everyone should have access to healthcare when and where they need it, regardless of their socio-economic status,” said Darren Entwistle, Telus president and CEO, in the press release.
“Through our partnership with REACH Niagara, we are removing many of the barriers facing underserved and at-risk populations in the Niagara region by providing access to critical healthcare, social support, and Covid-19 screening,” Entwistle said.
The REACH Mobile Health Clinic vehicle is divided into two main areas — the first for patient reception and nursing care, and the second with an examination table and doctor’s workstation including equipment necessary to provide primary healthcare, the press release explains.
It is equipped with Telus Health’s electronic medical record (EMR) technology, Telus Mobility services and Telus LTE Wi-Fi network technology to help the onboard care team to deliver care to patients.
“With support from local Community Health Centres and family health team partners, [the REACH Mobile Health Clinic] will also extend support for migrant agricultural workers in the area during the summer months, providing care at sites where they are known to meet,” the release says.
In addition, the mobile care model and partnership between REACH and Telus Health will serve as practical social medicine training for McMaster University Family Medicine residents, according to the release.
“This unique partnership offers medical students a glimpse into the skills, knowledge and attitudes they will need to care for marginalized people in their future careers,” the release says.
“Family Medical Residents will also have the opportunity to work with an interdisciplinary team on the clinic, learning how to care for marginalized people, and how best to support them in their journey toward housing and health.”
The REACH Niagara Mobile Health Clinic is the latest rollout of the Telus Health for Good program which operates mobile clinics in Vancouver, Victoria, Surrey, Edmonton, Ottawa, Mississauga-Peel Region, Waterloo Region, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax and, now, Niagara Region.
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Image supplied by Telus.
