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Sorry about the delayed reply, but I work in the NHS, and use a purpose built mobile clinic 3 days in the week. I can forward details of the manufacturer and the cost (not cheap) if still required.
In 2001 we had a unit built by Bill Scott and Sons of Scarborough (Tel. 01723 363225). They very much listen to what you need. Ours has two clinic areas, a waiting room and a sterilizing room/office. Its built on a Ford base, weight 7.5 tones and is about 18 ft long. You don't need to sit any special test as long as you passed your driving test prior to 2000. Its entirely self sufficient, and has a built in generator for all the electrics and a water heater. Its disabled-friendly and as such has a wheelchair hoist.
There is a major problem with mobile clinics and this is why they are being withdrawn. Certainly all my local trusts have withdrawn their mobile clinics in favour of community clinics and GP surgeries.
Why does Podiatry always work differently to our other AHP colleagues who work in community clinics and GP surgeries.
Also there are problems with where do the clinicains ancilliary staff patients go PEE PEE and POO POO or even just throw up.
We had one site where if the pub landlord forgot about us we had to use the pub car park hedge. The landlord of the pub couldnt care less .
So i would never consider a mobile clinic unless my AHP colleagues were going to do the same.
Alos if there is a major incident how is it managed??
In a community clinic GP surgery there are emergency services available, usually.
The area we work, is mostly rural. Some of the patients we see are 20 miles or more from the nearest GP surgery. Of those who do live near a surgery, 9 times out of 10 it can't accomodate a Podiatry surgery.
Because of this, our trust operates 3 mobile dental units, and a mobile health visitor's van, as well as our mobile podiatry unit. This provides a valuable service to patients who would otherwise require a home visit and all the additional time that these take up.
The toilet issue is a problem, however no more so than doing home visits in a rural area.
Incedently, the manufacturers of our unit are able to install a chemical toilet, but we opted not to go for that incase patients in the waiting room decide to use it as a public toilet!