The District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB) and the Nipissing Wellness Ontario Health Team (NWOHT) are announcing the launch of the Clinical Access Mobile Partnership — a new community mobile clinic — enhancing healthcare accessibility across Nipissing District.
"One of the key functions of community paramedic programs is to try and avoid congestion in our hospitals and emergency departments," noted Chief of Paramedic Services Stephen Kirk. "So this will allow some of those healthcare opportunities to now come out to the community to kind of mitigate some of that kind of backlog of congestion in our healthcare system."
The NWOHT provided funding to the DNSSAB for the purchase of the vehicle that acts as the Clinical Access Mobile Partnership (CAMP). The NWOHT is supported by funding from the Government of Ontario. The operational expenses for the mobile clinic will be covered by Ontario Health-funded Community Paramedic programs, ensuring sustainable service delivery.
The mission "is to provide increased opportunities for people to get to the services they need, states Wendy Smith, executive director of the Nipissing Wellness Ontario Health Team. "We know transportation is one of the primary reasons people say they have barriers to accessing care. So this gives us an opportunity to reach those folks.
"The Clinical Access Mobile Partnership will be answering a gap in the system by providing medical and social services to our vulnerable population and remote communities. This initiative will improve the population health of the District of Nipissing."
The mobile clinic is set to begin operations in the coming weeks, marking a new era in accessible healthcare for the District of Nipissing. This initiative aligns with DNSSAB's strategic plan to create healthy, sustainable communities.
"The mobile clinic will significantly enhance our ability to provide services to all corners of our District, removing barriers and maximizing impact on community health," adds DNSSAB Board Chair Mark King.
The CAMP mobile clinic is a 2024 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 with a custom clinical interior, which was delivered to DNSSAB's Paramedic Services department in December 2024, is designed to replicate a clinical setting, allowing for the extension of community healthcare through outreach resources.
Both Smith and Kirk see the new service as a difference-maker for local healthcare.
"This is a dream come true to provide access to people in the community," Smith says.
Kirk adds, "It's really about getting to the right patient, at the right time, through the right mode. Transportation or access to healthcare has barriers for many people. So this provides us an opportunity to get that resource to them. And furthermore, we also have individuals who may not be comfortable with the brick and mortar setting for healthcare and we need to look for other opportunities to promote a healthy community."
Key features of the mobile clinic include:
- Specialized equipment and trained paramedics
- Online portal for community partners to request services
- Unique branding supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion
- 72+ hours of self-sustainability with off-grid including satellite internet
- Capability to serve as a command centre for large medical events