Helping The Most Vulnerable In The Community

Friday, 14 August 2020 07:15

A mobile health outreach bus will launch in September and will serve different areas around the County.

OXFORD COUNTY – The Oxford Community Health Centre will be looking to help those most vulnerable during COVID-19.

They’ll be launching a mobile health outreach bus this fall going around communities across Oxford County.

Jennifer Stock is the lead staff on the project and she says she and a colleague will be driving out to different areas to help those most vulnerable.

“It may be at the Inn here in Woodstock, it may be the Salvation Army, food banks and we are looking not just in Woodstock. We’re looking at Tillsonburg, Ingersoll, potentially Tavistock and being able to provide outreach services. So that might look like even just handing out socks, snacks, water, even helping with a health card if you don’t have one.”

Stock says it may also include medical services in terms of episodic care from addressing any acute illnesses, wound care, and even offering mental health support.

The organization received more than $120,000 to fund the project from the federal government and United Way Oxford. She adds the Oxford Community Health Centre has been able to partner with the Oxford County Paramedics Services for part of this program.

“They are not only being the eyes and ears on the ground in terms of high volume areas for social concerns, but they are also working on an initiative called the CP At Home, the Community Paramedicine at Home program. And with that they’re going to help target the homeless populations as well with us.”

She says the scheduling at this point has not been set up yet, however they plan to be at certain locations every week and stay for a couple hours to make sure they’re able to provide their services.

Stock says she hopes this initiative provides the Oxford Community Health Centre with an opportunity to have an impact on those most vulnerable during this time.

“This is extremely exciting. It’s exciting for everyone who works at the Centre; it’s exciting for me as a nurse practitioner to be able to show what we can do in the community. And ultimately, the goals are to improve the health and well-being of these very vulnerable people and be able to meet them where they’re at and support them in ways that they’re willing to receive.”

The mobile health outreach bus is expected to launch on the week of September 14th.