A respiratory and allergy outreach clinic designed to bring important health services to children was held at Tsartlip First Nation Monday.
The clinic was held in the province’s Mobile Medical Unit and saw paediatric respirologist Dr. Rafi Beck, paediatric allergist Dr. Scott Cameron and Saanich aboriginal health nurse practitioner Bryan Schultz working as part of an inter-professional team with paediatric medical residents, a respiratory therapist and an advanced practice nurse.
“First Nations children have a much higher incidence of respiratory illness, especially in the first two years of life,” said a press release from Sarah Plank, the media relations manager for Vancouver Island Health Authority.
“Access to primary care is frequently a barrier to effective management of the disease”
More than 30 children from the Tsartlip, Tsawout, Tseycum, and Pauquachin First Nations had scheduled respiratory and/or allergy assessments and physician consultations at the clinic which also provided walk in service as well.
The Mobile Medical Unit is housed in a 52-foot tractor-trailer that expands to a 1000 square feet flexible facility with up to eight, 10-patient treatment bays. The Unit can be connected to a hospital’s shore power, city water and waste systems, but also has its own power, oxygen, water, and waste systems for self-sufficiency when required.
Public tours of the Unit will be available during open houses at Saanich Peninsula Hospital today (Wednesday, Oct. 2) from 3 to 7 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 3 from 5 to 7 p.m.
— With files from VIHA