BEDFORD, NS –A new service is trying to provide more access to medical services in rural areas of Nova Scotia.
Medibus, a mobile health clinic, makes stops throughout mainland Nova Scotia on weekdays.
“What we’re looking to do is to cover those areas where people do not have the primary health care services available to them,” says Dr. Ken Buchholz the Medibus medical director.
“It’s a challenge. Particularly as budgets are contracted certainly challenges on health care services, so there’s a lot of gaps in the system and what we hope to do with Medibus is fill some of those gaps,” he says.
Amanda Dobson visited the Medibus in Mount Uniacke for the first time this week for blood work.
“It’s right down the road from my house, so it’s very convenient. There’s no lineups and I can get in and get out before work.”
It costs $15, but Dobson says it’s worth it.
“I’d have to drive all the way to Sackville. Gas, parking, I’d be losing more time from work.”
Medibus offers primary health care services, foot care, and blood collection.
They also provide bottles for tap water samples, notes Buccholz.
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“We deliver them to the provincial lab for assessment. We do know that there are significant health concerns as a result of poorly filtered water.”
Buccholz will meet the provincial government and opposition parties later this month to discuss the service.
“I know he’s very passionate about the work that he does and the services he provides Nova Scotians, so I look forward to the meeting and we need to move forward on ensuring Nova Scotians have access to the health care they need when and where they live,” says Health Minister Dave Wilson
Buchholz says the province needs to deliver health care services more efficiently.
“We cannot afford multi-million dollar fixed clinics that only service only local areas that really disenfranchises those people in the rural areas that have half an hour or an hour to drive.”
Presently there are two Medibuses in operation, however, they plan on added two more soon.
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