Another mobile wellness bus will open its doors Wednesday this time in Saskatoon. Two others were launched by the government in Regina and Prince Albert this year. The Saskatoon bus will be located primarily at 400 Morse Road (near the old Farmer’s Market) from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday.
A statement from the Ministry of Health indicates that in addition to a Nurse Practitioner, the Saskatoon Community Wellness Bus will include additional health care staff, including a licensed practical nurse and an assessor coordinator providing referrals to community supports.
Additional services include:
- opioid agonist therapy/withdrawal management;
- mental health and addiction assessments and counselling/referrals;
- referral to housing, social services; and
- referral to addictions and mental health treatment and services.
The Community Wellness Bus will also provide access to:
- basic health assessments (physicals);
- health education;
- chronic disease monitoring;
- vaccinations;
- take home naloxone (THN) kits and training;
- sexually transmitted and blood borne infection (STBBI) point of care testing;
- reproductive health services/supplies;
- counselling/referrals;
- wound care, stitches, routine health care (NP); and
- connection to culturally relevant Indigenous services (traditional medicine, connection to spiritual services and Elders).
The STC Health Bus was established on August 31st, 2021, and travels five days a week to each of the seven First Nation Communities that make up Saskatoon Tribal Council. The bus is staffed with a Dental Team, Mental Health, and Paramedic and was made possible by fundraising efforts via Synergy 8. The seven members of STC include Whitecap Dakota First Nation, Mistawasis, Kinistin Saulteaux Nation, Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Muskoday First Nation, One Arrow First Nation, Yellow Quill First Nation.
Photo credit: Facebook Saskatoon Tribal Council
