The mobile health clinics – each equipped with two consultation rooms – will cover 35 locations over eight weeks, from Prudhoe in Northumberland to Trago Mills in Newton Abbott, Well said in a statement yesterday (October 25).

Each van will aim to “protect 200 people from the flu virus each day”, Well added.

“The concept, design and commission has been driven and funded by Well without any funding from NHS England and NHS Improvement”, a Well spokesperson told C+D yesterday.

Well has partnered with Co-op, EDF and Bestway Wholesale, with “more partners keen to come on board in 2022”, the spokesperson added.

Clinics will focus on combating the flu

Well’s mobile health clinics “will focus on protecting as many people as possible from the flu”, according to Gill Stone, NHS standards and services lead at Well.

At least one pharmacist – “in most cases two” – will be present in each mobile health clinic, the spokesperson told C+D. “In some areas, we have a trained vaccinator working alongside a pharmacist to support the smooth running on the clinic”, they added.

Patients looking to get a flu vaccine can book an appointment online in advance or walk in. Appointments will be open to both private and NHS patients, the spokesperson told C+D.

Routine health services, such as blood pressure checks, will also be available.

Well aims to reach new local communities with the mobile health clinics, especially “those at higher risk of ill-health who have little contact with the wider healthcare system”, it added in its statement.