‘This bus now, will be able to do everything for us in one spot,’ said Type 2 diabetic Monica Nelson
A health clinic on four wheels aims to help vulnerable Calgarians manage diabetes by delivering care where it’s needed most.
The Alex Community Health Centre and the University of Calgary have partnered with Telus, which committed $13 million for the program dubbed The Alex Mobile Care Clinic.
Following an official launch on Tuesday, the pilot program will bring mobile diabetes testing to those with barriers to care.
“People with diabetes have a very challenging task ahead of them,” said Dr. David Campbell, an endocrinologist, diabetes specialist and associate professor at U of C.
Aside from the “self-management tasks” such as monitoring blood sugar levels, watching what they eat, exercising and taking medicine, Campbell said they also have to access care from many different providers.
“They need to have a family doctor — that’s one of the most important parts of their care,” said Campbell.
Many diabetics who require specialist care often have to see them in hospitals, then go elsewhere for other tests such as getting their eyes checked, feet checked and other lab work done.
“It ultimately results in a whole bunch of different appointments that people need to go to — that can be all over the city,” he said.
For people with socioeconomic challenges, dealing with diabetes is a real problem on its own, according to Campbell.
“Trying to go to all these different appointments all over the place when you’re dealing with housing issues and financial issues is almost impossible,” he said.
‘This is a sweet thing for the public’
Type 2 diabetic Monica Nelson said the disease has instigated other health issues over the years, and can be depressing or aggravating.
“It’s really hard to come by, the care that you need, if you don’t have (an) even half healthy bank account,” said Nelson.
With mobility issues and also having been unhoused for a time, Nelson has had difficulties getting to appointments.
“This bus now (the mobile clinic) will be able to do everything for us in one spot,” she said. “It’s an absolute gift.”
Testing at the mobile clinic is meant to bring care closer to people and “negate some of those barriers” that diabetics would typically face, said Campbell.
Brian Bowdridge, a Type 2 diabetic, said the clinic would be “awesome” for himself and others who are either homeless or have problems with accessing care.
“When I was homeless, it was very very hard to get the proper help — because it wasn’t there,” he said. Food at shelters caused him to struggle with high blood sugars.
“What’s the point of taking the medicine if I can’t eat properly?” said Bowdridge. “I get it with the shelters, they’re trying the best they can with what they’ve got. Unfortunately, it’s not adequate for diabetics.”
In terms of the clinic, Bowdridge said: “This is a sweet thing for the public, I’m really proud of this.”
Mobile clinic brings services to patients in their community
For diabetics, the mobile clinic is able to perform A1C tests, which provide blood glucose levels over the past six months. It can also do kidney function tests, retina scanning and foot examinations.
“They can get really high-quality care as if they were in front of me at the hospital, but really bringing it to them in their community, in a place where they’re comfortable and safe,” Campbell said.
The mobile clinic has served a few dozen patients so far, and will serve five to 10 per day once fully operational; patients are able to drop in or book appointments. It’s operated by one or two staff at a time in shifts.