Saskatoon wellness bus ready to roll this week

A community wellness bus, set to start running in Saskatoon on Wednesday, will provide basic primary care as well as mental health and addictions services.

The bus, the third of its kind in the province after Prince Albert and Regina, will make it easier to get care to the people who need it the most, particularly those who have difficulty getting to a primary care clinic, says Kelly Tokarchuk, executive director of primary health care at the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

"Having an option that is really located closer to them in their community … having the services from Wednesday to Sunday and into the evening hours, we really feel we'll meet the needs of the people that need us the most," Tokarchuk said.

The bus, which will be primarily located at 2023 Morse Road near the old farmers market off 19th Street, will operate from 1- 7 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday. It will be staffed with a nurse practitioner, a licensed practical nurse and an assessor co-ordinator who will offer referrals to community supports.

The bus will be able to operate year-round thanks to its heating/air conditioning system.

Those seeking help do not need government identification or a health card to access the services.

"I think this is just another tool that is going to be out in the community," Tokarchuk, adding besides primary services they will be able to connect people to mental health and addictions services.

The services provided include:

• Basic physical examinations
• Vaccinations.
• Take-home naloxone kits and training.
• Reproductive health services.

"There was approximately $2.5 million spent to fit out the buses to set them up, and there will be about $1.5 million a year spent to to operate the buses, so it's a very small cost for the lives it's going to impact," said Kevin Weedmark, legislative secretary for the minister of health.

Tokarchuk says First Nations and Métis organizations are being consulted to develop the service.

"Health for somebody is not just one piece. It's not literally, 'Are you feeling good today?'" she said, adding it's about connecting all of a person's needs.

"I think, again, the team really understands the population and the services that are needed to bring people to a better place of wellness."

Saskatoon has had partnerships with health buses in the past,  Tokarchuk said, "so from our perspective, I think that people are going to be really aware of the services that can be provided."