Kendall County Well being Division workers are excited concerning the new cellular clinic automobiles which might be set to debut throughout the county within the coming weeks.

Born from an concept conceived greater than a 12 months in the past, officers are in search of methods to offer most people with issues like vaccinations and blood strain checks, and there are actually methods to assist those that could not be capable of get to clinics. He mentioned he believes there may be. , pharmacies and different locations the place companies are provided.

“We began wanting into this within the fall of 2021,” mentioned RaeAnn VanGundy, government director of the Kendall County Well being Division. “We had been going off-site to do loads of immunizations, and we realized there have been lots of people who could not go residence, and areas within the county that weren’t actually touched. Most likely site visitors. We have now company points and a few actual us resident considerations, so we needed to see if we may purchase a van to fulfill the wants of individuals right here in Kendall County.”

VanGundy acknowledged that the thought of ​​offering cellular clinics was impressed by the pandemic, noting that non-immunization makes use of to fight COVID-19 embody back-to-school vaccinations, childhood vaccinations, and extra. included.

“We are able to additionally present WIC (ladies, infants and youngsters) companies. We even have psychological well being companies, the place we will present disaster interventions and blood strain screenings for the aged if wanted. “We additionally present well being care outreach training to our communities, assist with insurance coverage and utility registration, and go to folks affected by tuberculosis by van.” You possibly can even do

The entire price of the car was simply over $180,000, together with customized modifications by a specialist supplier.

“We went with somebody who was creating these cellular van clinics, designed every part they wanted there, and instructed them. We used it for the primary time,” says VanGundy. “We labored with them, used the identical vendor, and modeled what DuPage was doing as a result of they actually favored the best way the van was arrange.”

The county obtained the automobiles in late November, a 12 months after the order was positioned, because of provide issues which have affected all the auto business.

“The timeframe is just a little longer than it might have been with out COVID, however we had been affected person and knew what we wanted, so we’re prepared,” VanGundy mentioned. “Mid-January.” I will be taking it to the primary winter well being honest in Plano subsequent week.”

In keeping with VanGundy, the car is certainly not an emergency response or transportation car, however relatively “permits us to enter the group and supply additional outreach and training and companies locally.”

These in want can register on-line or name the well being division and inform them they want residence care.

“If somebody calls the Division of Well being, we’ll resolve whether or not to go in a van or a county automotive to find out one of the simplest ways to contact somebody,” Van Gundy mentioned.

Response instances will rely upon “the kind of companies individuals are requesting” and “availability of vaccines and the nursing schedules now we have,” she mentioned.

“There are lots of components concerned on this, however we try to fulfill the wants of the group as shortly as attainable,” mentioned VanGundy.

“We’re very enthusiastic about this. We’re very grateful to the Kendall County Fee for approving this buy and the Board of Well being for his or her assist,” Van Gundy mentioned. rice discipline.

David Sharos is a contract reporter for The Beacon-Information.

.