Bolton Mobile Health Hive helping local people - locally

For taking to the roads across the borough is a mobile clinic, which will also run through the new year.

And since it was launched last week, people have been coming the clinic  -the Mobile Health Hive - which parks up in nearby street or car parks.

It has been funded by the  Bolton GP Federation and funding from Greater Manchester NHS.

It is touring at a time when people are at their most vulnerable and health services are feeling the pressures of winter.

The van is open to anyone living, working, and visiting Bolton.

It contains two consultation views with medics on board to help, advise and administer  treatment.

Federation Chair, Dr Kamran Khan, said: “The difference it is going to make is offering another place where people can come to get their essential healthcare needs such as vaccinations and health care checks and so on.

“Especially during this period when we know general practices as well as the rest of the health services are working at absolute capacity.

“I would say more than 100 per cent capacity.

Katy Rees, a nurse working on the Mobile Health Hive (Image: NQ)“This is another avenue for people to come to; it is within the community. It is out there on the doorstep and hopefully people can just pop in, so they don’t have to worry about making an appointment.

“It supports patients but also supports practices as well because they can signpost people here.

“Some people find it easier and more comfortable to pop into a none healthcare setting and the inspiration behind the Mobile Health Hive is getting out there trying to meet a need.

“If Covid hadn’t happened, this probably wouldn’t be here.

Inside the Mobile Health Hive (Image: NQ)“The response will be initially slow, but it will ramp up, no doubt about that.

“I think the beauty of it is that we can move it around, we can fit niches where we need to, unlike a building, we are not tied down.

“The idea is to take the strain off general practices and depending on what kind of demand we have; we might be able to branch out further.

“I’m sure Bolton is no different to the rest of the country, especially during winter, working as a GP myself I know for a fact every practice is working at 100 per cent capacity and I’m sure it is the same in the hospital, so the demand is unfortunately far outstripping the supply, that is the reality that unfortunately patients see on a day-to-day basis.

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“Anything that helps to alleviate that demand will be most welcome by patients and by the health service as well.”

Katy Rees, 66, a nurse working on the Mobile Health Hive, said: “We had people queuing when we arrived and they said they have had terrible trouble trying to access their vaccinations and so they were delighted when they heard about this.

“There are so many people that cannot get to the centres so when they see these this is an opportunity for them to be seen, it is brilliant.”

Aisha Muhammad, 22, admin at Bolton GP Federation said: “I think this is an amazing initiative because it gives people, anywhere that they hear or can see it, just to come in and have health check, a flu jab or a Covid jab, and even just for a general chat, it is great.

The Mobile Health Hive (Image: NQ)“We started last week, and we had a good uptake, it’s been good, and people are coming in, so it is working.

“We’ve had a few people saying it is brilliant and to keep doing what we are doing.”

Priority will be given to vulnerable people, such as pregnant women and adults from African and Caribbean communities where uptake in important health checks and vaccines are traditionally low.

The van will visit Deane, Daubhill, Rumworth, Halliwell, Great Lever, Breightmet and other areas in and around Bolton town centre.

And now since being open, the Mobile Health Hive has been a success, seeing people access services they are struggling to access at their GP’s.

People can have Covid vaccinations, flu jabs, health checks including blood pressure checks, weight checks, smoking and alcohol advice, blood tests and more.

The latest timetable can be accessed by visiting www.boltongpfed.co.uk/healthhive

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on X @chloewjourno.