Skip to content

Recent Posts

  • How to Conquer Thorong La Pass: Essential Tips for Your Annapurna Circuit
  • 7 Proven Strategies for IBS Relief at a Leading Wellness Clinic in Lafayette
  • How to Choose an Engagement Ring for a Traveler
  • The Origins and History of the German Shepherd
  • How to Make Smart Choices When You Purchase Vitamins Online

Most Used Categories

  • Mental Health (126)
  • Dental Care (112)
  • Healthy Food (55)
  • Lifestyle Choices (50)
  • Physical Health (36)
  • Nutrition (32)
  • Health (3)
  • Jewelry (1)
  • Pet (1)
  • hearing aids (1)
Skip to content
vitapulsewellness

vitapulsewellness

Revitalize Your Health, Elevate Your Lifestyle

  • Healthy Food
  • Nutrition
  • Mental Health
  • Physical Health
  • Dental Care
  • Lifestyle Choices
  • About Us
    • Advertise Here
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
  • Home
  • Mental Health
  • Mobile walk-in clinic now on the road in Sarnia-Lambton
Mobile walk-in clinic now on the road in Sarnia-Lambton

Mobile walk-in clinic now on the road in Sarnia-Lambton

Jack HarrisonNovember 10, 2023

Breadcrumb Trail Links

  1. News
  2. Local News

A walk-in clinic on wheels is rolling in Lambton County, providing mental health, addiction and primary health care at stops around the community three days a week.

Published Nov 09, 2023  •  2 minute read

Kelly Howell, a CMHA Lambton-Kent housing case manager, shows off the medical clinic in the MobileCare van, now making regular stops around Lambton County three days a week providing mental health, addiction and primary medical care. Photo by Paul Morden /The Observer

Article content

A walk-in clinic on wheels is rolling in Lambton County, providing mental health, addiction and primary health care at stops around the community three days a week.

Advertisement 2

Related Posts:

  • Stollery Children's Hospital opens new mental health…

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

MobileCare Sarnia-Lambton is a partnership of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Lambton Kent, Bluewater Health and the North Lambton Community Health Centre, which staff the unit with mental health and addiction workers and a nurse practitioner.

Article content

Funding for the specially equipped van came from Ontario’s Heath Ministry and, following delays getting it ready during the pandemic, it has begun making stops in Sarnia, Watford, Alvinston, Thedford and Kettle and Stony Point First Nation.

The schedule and locations are posted online at mobilecareclinic.ca.

MobileCare
This specially equipped MobileCare van makes regular stops around Lambton County three days a week providing mental health, addiction and primary medical care. (Paul Morden/The Observer) Photo by Paul Morden /The Observer

“I think we’re getting traction,” Rhonny Doxtator, CMHA Lambton-Kent’s acting chief executive, said of residents’ response.

“It might be someone who lives in the county and may not have primary care services,” she said. “They might come to the unit for some support. It might be someone who wants to access mental health care in their community locally and aren’t able to get to where services are located.”

Advertisement 3

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

The walk-in service charges no fees. Each of the partners provides staff for the unit, which also got some United Way funding.

MobileCare
Driver Jeff Robertson stands next to the MobileCare van, which delivers free, walk-in mental health, addiction and primary medical care at stops across Lambton County three days a week (Paul Morden/The Observer). Photo by Paul Morden /The Observer

The aim is to reduce barriers to services, particularly in rural areas where transportation may be a challenge, and provide different kinds of help all under one roof, Doxtator said.

“So far, we’ve been very welcomed into the communities,” said Jennifer Peck, a nurse on CMHA’s mental health first response team. “All of the services have been accessed so far.”

“I’m seeing anyone . . . looking for mental health support,” including help navigating the care system, she said. “I have provided some crisis support as well.”

Inside, the unit has a clinic for the nurse practitioner, a separate room for mental health and withdrawal management services, entry and waiting area in the centre, and a staff washroom. There’s also a lift for those with accessibility issues.

Advertisement 4

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

A driver is also part of the team and, during a regular stop on the Golden Mile in Sarnia Thursday, a CMHA housing case manager was also on hand. The unit also visits the Inn of the Good Shepherd location on John Street once a week.

MobileCare
MobileCare is a partnership of the Canadian Mental Health Association Lambton Kent, Bluewater Health and the North Lambton Community Health Centre. (Paul Morden/The Observer) Photo by Paul Morden /The Observer

Outside Sarnia, stops include East Lambton Community Complex in Watford, Alvinston Community Complex and Arena, Thedford’s Community Complex and Fire Hall, and Kettle and Stony Point.

“The whole purpose is the bus is going to where the care is needed,” Peck said.

That includes individuals living in motels on Sarnia’s Golden Mile without transportation to reach services.

“It’s definitely a different experience providing care on a bus, but it’s nice to bring the care to the people who need it and can’t access it,” Peck said.

One aim is to provide an alternative to going to hospital emergency room, Peck said.

“People are better cared for through community preventative treatment,” Doxtator said.

There’s also a mobile unit operating in Chatham-Kent. CMHA’s partners there are Chatham-Kent EMS, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance and Chatham-Kent Community Health Centres.

[email protected]

Article content

Share this article in your social network

Comments

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.

clinic, Mobile, road, SarniaLambton, walkin

Post navigation

Previous: 34 Health and Wellness Resources at Binghamton University
Next: City council approves city-wide expansion of Community Crisis Service

Related Posts

From Burnout to Balance: How to Overcome Chronic Stress

From Burnout to Balance: How to Overcome Chronic Stress

May 1, 2024 Jack Harrison
The Role of Stress in Relationships: Navigating Conflict and Communication

The Role of Stress in Relationships: Navigating Conflict and Communication

April 30, 2024 Jack Harrison
The Impact of Stress on Mental Health: Understanding the Connection

The Impact of Stress on Mental Health: Understanding the Connection

April 28, 2024June 8, 2024 Jack Harrison

Recent Posts

  • How to Conquer Thorong La Pass: Essential Tips for Your Annapurna Circuit
  • 7 Proven Strategies for IBS Relief at a Leading Wellness Clinic in Lafayette
  • How to Choose an Engagement Ring for a Traveler
  • The Origins and History of the German Shepherd
  • How to Make Smart Choices When You Purchase Vitamins Online
  • Doctor’s Notes and School Policies: Ensuring Compliance with Educational Requirements
  • How a Dental Appliance for Sleep Apnea Can Alleviate Symptoms and Help You Wake Up Refreshed and Rejuvenated
  • From Chaos to Chic: Transform Your Room with TV Mounting in Portland, Oregon

Categories

  • Dental Care
  • Forex
  • Health
  • Healthy Food
  • hearing aids
  • Home Improvement
  • Jewelry
  • Lifestyle Choices
  • Mental Health
  • Nutrition
  • Pet
  • Physical Health
  • Travel
  • Vape

Archives

BL

Copyright All Rights Reserved | Theme: BlockWP by Candid Themes.