Is a Van Big Enough for a Mobile Clinic?

Is a van big enough for a mobile clinic? If you’re wondering this, you’re not alone. Many organizations across Canada, including healthcare providers, non-profits, and government agencies, are looking into mobile clinics to reach more people. But one big question keeps coming up: Will a van have enough space?

You need a vehicle that:

Fits all your medical equipment without feeling cramped
Gives staff enough room to work comfortably
Lets patients move safely during appointments

If a mobile clinic is too small, it can slow down your team and make patient care harder. But if it’s too big, it could be tough to park, expensive to run, and have wasted space. Finding the right balance is key, so you can serve more people, work efficiently, and keep costs under control.

At MoveMobility, we’ve been building mobile medical vans and wheelchair-accessible vehicles for over 20 years. We’ve worked with organizations across Canada, like the Yellowknife Women’s Society, to design custom mobile clinics that remove barriers to healthcare. We know choosing the right vehicle is a big decision, and while we build mobile medical vans, this article isn’t about selling, it’s about helping you find the best option for your needs.

In this article, you’ll learn:

How big Mobile Clinic Vans are
The advantages of smaller vehicles for mobile clinics
Why layout is so important

10 Steps to Starting a Mobile Clinic in Canada Guide

How big are MoveMobility’s RAM Promaster Mobile Clinic Vans?

Mobile Medical Clinic Van — Patent pending

At MoveMobility, we design Mobile Clinic Vans that balance space, comfort, and drivability. Built on the RAM ProMaster 159″ chassis, our vans are large enough to fit essential medical equipment while staying easy to drive and park in urban and remote areas.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the size and space inside our Mobile Clinic Vans:

Feature	Measurement	Why it matters
Headroom	72 inches	Stand comfortably all day without feeling cramped. Ideal for medical staff who need to move freely.
Usable interior space	132 inches	Plenty of room for medical equipment, exam tables, storage, and patient care. Designed to keep everything organized.
Width	70 inches	Wide enough for staff and patients to move around easily but still compact enough for smooth driving.
Wheelbase	159 inches	Long enough to fit essential medical equipment without making the van difficult to maneuver.

How big are Ford Transit Mobile Clinic Vans?

The Ford Transit Mobile Clinic Van is a bit smaller than the RAM ProMaster. While it still works for mobile healthcare, its narrower design and shorter length can make space feel tighter inside.

Here’s a look at its size and what that means for your clinic:

Feature	Measurement	Why it matters
Headroom	69 inches	Less standing room, which can feel tight, especially in winter when staff wear bulky jackets or gear.
Usable interior space	132 inches	Similar in length to the ProMaster, but less width means less room for exam tables, equipment, and storage.
Width	64 inches	A narrower design can make moving around harder, especially in busy clinics or when wearing PPE.
Wheelbase	125 inches	A shorter wheelbase makes it easier to park in tight urban spaces, but it also limits how much medical equipment you can fit.

Are there advantages to a compact Mobile Clinic?

A small mobile clinic can make a big difference. Instead of walking into a huge, busy hospital, patients step into a cozy space that feels calm and private. This can help people feel more comfortable, especially if they’re nervous about seeing a doctor. In many places across Canada, like small towns in Manitoba or remote communities in Northern Ontario, a friendly, welcoming clinic can make healthcare visits less stressful.

Privacy is a big bonus. In a smaller clinic, patients don’t have to worry about people overhearing their conversations because they’re likely the only patient in the vehicle at the time. The enclosed space helps them feel safe and respected during check-ups about personal health.

For healthcare workers, a smaller clinic design also makes things easier:

Everything is close by: Supplies, equipment, and patient records are all within reach.
Less clutter, more focus: A smaller space stays neat, so staff can work more smoothly.
Fast and simple care: Staff can move quickly between patients, helping more people in less time.

A small clinic is also cheaper to run. It uses less fuel, fits in small parking spaces, and is easier to drive. That makes it great for things like flu shots, check-ups, and mental health support, especially in places where doctors aren’t always easy to find, like rural Alberta or Indigenous communities.

Even though it’s small, a well-designed mobile clinic can still bring high-quality healthcare to people who need it, wherever they are in Canada.

How important is the layout in a Mobile Clinic Van?

At first, you might think a van is too small to be a clinic. But with the right setup, it can have everything needed to give great care. A smart layout keeps things organized, so doctors and nurses can work easily, even in a small space.

Here’s what can fit inside a mobile clinic van and why it’s important:

Portable toilet: Helpful for long trips, especially in small towns or remote areas where bathrooms are hard to find.

Power supply: Keeps medical tools running anywhere, whether parked in downtown Toronto or visiting a northern community.

Exam bed with storage underneath: Gives patients a comfy spot for check-ups while keeping extra supplies stored below.

Floor-to-ceiling cabinets: Saves space by keeping medicine, bandages, and paperwork neatly stored.

Fridge: Keeps vaccines and medicine cold, which is super important in places with extreme weather, like Northern Canada.

Sink: Allows doctors and nurses to wash their hands to keep everything clean and safe.

Office desk space: An area to write notes, update patient records, or talk with patients.

Medical equipment: Tools like stethoscopes and blood pressure monitors fit neatly inside, so healthcare workers have everything they need.

Even though it might seem small, a mobile clinic van can do big things. With the right design, it can bring healthcare anywhere, from busy city streets in Vancouver to quiet rural towns in Saskatchewan.

Mobile Clinics Vans: Are they big enough for your needs?

You might have landed on this article initially thinking that a van isn’t large enough for a mobile clinic, but the truth is—it’s the perfect size for most organizations. A well-designed van gives you everything you need to provide care without wasting space.

Here’s a quick recap of why a Mobile Clinic Van works:

Plenty of room for staff to move and work
Smart storage and layout to keep supplies organized
A private space where patients feel comfortable
Easy to drive and park in busy cities or remote areas

Unless your organization is planning to start an extensive, multi-room, multi-million dollar healthcare centre on wheels, bigger isn’t always better. What matters is having the right setup to keep your team working smoothly and your patients feeling at ease.

At MoveMobility, we’ve helped over 100 organizations across Canada build mobile clinics that actually work. We know how important it is to get it right. That’s why we design customized vans with efficient layouts that fit your needs, so you can focus on helping people, not worrying about space.

Got questions? Click the button below to talk to a mobility expert.

Not ready yet? No problem. Check out these helpful resources to learn more!

Start with checking out what equipment you can install in a Mobile Clinic Van, or watch the video below.