A mobile medical van is a van that is converted to a mobile medical treatment space. Mobile medical vans are a way to provide primary healthcare and other services to underserved populations. Mobile medical vans often serve people who are otherwise unreachable by typical healthcare methods.

Mobile medical vans are used to take health services to patients who cannot access a health centre or hospital. They help to reduce health disparities.

A person may not be able to access a health centre for many reasons. These include:

• Mobility issues
• Lack of transportation
• Remote location
• Financial restraints
• Language barriers
• Wait times

A person who cannot get primary healthcare is more likely to suffer from undiagnosed health conditions. This leads to late diagnoses and more advanced health issues in patients. Treating advanced yet preventable health conditions is costly for the healthcare system.

Mobile medical vans are not only used to provide basic healthcare. They are also used for personal services such as:

• Addictions treatment
• Mental health counselling
• Outreach services to homeless and vulnerable populations.

Mobile medical vans are used by many different groups, including:

Indigenous and First Nations communities

In many Indigenous and First Nation communities, patients are located too far from a health centre to have access to basic health care. Mobile medical vans are used to visit patients at their homes or nearby locations.

Housing and homeless societies

Initiatives that work to end homelessness need a way to address their client’s needs right where they are. Mobile medical vans give these programs a safe working environment in underserved places. Social workers can have an on-demand treatment space, with supplies and personnel to best serve their clients.

Addictions services

Addictions services are often offered in traditional facilities. However, mobile medical vans provide a safe, private, approachable space for persons in need to get addictions help without the stigma of going into a clinic.

Non-emergency response services

Mobile medical vans offer a medical space for non-urgent medical needs. Services such as bloodwork, physical exams, first aid, and stretcher transportation are all possible in a custom mobile medical van.

Industrial safety companies

Industrial safety companies that respond to workplace accidents require a mobile treatment space that carries the supplies, equipment, and personnel needed.

The cost of a mobile medical van depends on so many factors that we have an article dedicated to explaining how much a medical van costs. Read it here.