25 October 2021
Well Pharmacy launch Mobile Health Clinics to tackle health inequalities
Well Pharmacy, the UK’s largest independent pharmacy chain, today announced plans for launching two Mobile Health Clinics from Monday 25thOctober in a bid to make healthcare services more accessible in local communities, helping reduce health inequalities.
The specially equipped Mobile Health Clinics have been created with two consultation rooms inside, with a bespoke awning to make healthcare services fully accessible to everyone. Two pharmacists will be available from each van with the aim to protect 200 people from the flu virus each day. They will also be offering more routine healthcare services, such as blood pressure checks.
Initially partnering with, amongst others, Co-op, EDF and Bestway Wholesale, over the next eight weeks Well’s Mobile Health Clinics will be visiting 35 locations across England from Prudhoe in Northumberland to Trago Mills in Newton Abbott. Each local community will be invited to book their flu jab appointment online in advance or simply walk-in on the day.
Ifti Khan, Pharmacy Superintendent from Well Pharmacy said: “Launching the Mobile Health Clinics is something we are very passionate about at Well. Across the UK there are deep-running health inequalities when it comes to accessing healthcare, driving poor health outcomes for some in society.
“Our aim is to support both existing and new communities, drive health prevention and better outcomes for more people across the UK. This is especially important for those at higher risk of ill-health who have little contact with the wider healthcare system. We have already seen very high demand for the flu vaccination service and are pleased to reach out to new communities to offer this important and valuable service.”
Gill Stone, NHS Standards and Services Lead, added: “Experts are predicting a difficult flu season with a surge of respiratory viruses because the UK population had limited exposure to these viruses last year as a result of lockdown restrictions. Our Mobile Health Clinics will launch with a focus on protecting as many people from flu as possible this autumn. We hope to protect thousands more people in the community and are delighted to be working with Co-op, EDF and Bestway Wholesale to help protect their staff and customers.”