As part of the response to the Covid 19 pandemic, Patient Care Locally  invested in leasing two mobile vaccination units to support the vaccination of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland’s harder to reach groups.  Through this campaign, Patient Care Locally were able to build and develop extensive community relationships which enabled the vehicles to be sited in areas of large footfall.

The results were so successful that PCL made the decision to purchase 2 decommissioned ambulances which could be used to continue efforts to expand healthcare delivery within primary care.

Each vehicle is supplied with a specially trained Vehicle Manager who is responsible for ensuring the vehicle is set up correctly to meet the needs of the services it is delivering.

Over the past 2 years, the Roving Healthcare Units  have continued to play an important role in providing Covid -19 vaccinations to the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.  However, they have also diversified the services which they have been able to offer the people of the region.

The RHU team have not only supported various GPs surgeries with vaccination provision but have also worked along side a large number of specialist healthcare teams to offer a wide variety of clinics. Some of these include:

Cancer Awareness

Sickle Cell

Mental Health Awareness

Fibro Scanning 

Child Health and Early Years

Hypertension and Blood Pressure

Diabetes Awareness

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening

Immunisation/MMR

All clinics are supported by a social media campaign provided by PCL, in order to raise awareness and maximise the number of patients who attend.

The response from both healthcare providers and patients alike has been overwhelmingly positive.

The RHU’s have become a vital tool in outreach work and addressing health inequalities within the region.  Many patients have stated that they find the RHU’s less daunting than having to attend a GP practice or regular clinic.   For others, convenience and ease have been major factors in their on-going success.

For many healthcare leads, the RHU’s have been able to provide expanded resources for their team.

As a result, Patient Care Locally  is now using the RHU’s to provide support to healthcare teams in both Northamptonshire and Nottingham – and are hoping to expand even further in the coming months.