How a bus is taking healthcare to the community

A single-decker bus from Roadshow Promotions, the Blackpool-based specialist vehicle promotions company, is allowing communities to get access to healthcare on their doorstep as part of a long-running tour.

Converted especially for Richmond and Wandsworth Council, and manned by healthcare professionals, the touring bus is a convenient and quick way for residents to get health advice. With a resident pharmacist, as well as community and well-being professionals plus plenty of resources for advice and self-referrals, it has been a popular resource for the community.

From minor ailments and flu vaccinations to stopping smoking and mental health advice, the mobile single-decker bus, nicknamed Norman, is helping communities gain easy access to healthcare. Originally commissioned as a COVID vaccination centre, the bus is now bringing even more benefits to the community with a range of extended health services.

Uroosa Binepal, community health and wellbeing officer (apprentice), who is on board each day says: “My colleagues chose a bus because it gave us the flexibility to visit different areas of our two boroughs in Richmond and Wandsworth. From housing estates to superstore car parks, it has been invaluable in providing health care services to our community.”

“Being visible and accessible means that the community can see us and pop in when it’s convenient for them, whether they’re passing or out doing the shopping.”

Speaking of Roadshow Promotions, Uroosa continued: “What works really well for us is how responsive they are to the logistics of our planned tours, which can sometimes change at short notice. We have a dedicated and experienced tour driver, Dave Evans, who not only gets the bus to the right location on time but also helps us set up, put signs up and preparing for residents to visit. He’s definitely one of the team."

The RSP06 single-decker was originally commissioned as a mobile Police Station for the Metropolitan Police and has since been used as an exhibition and promo bus. For Richmond and Wandsworth Council, it was pre-converted to undertake mobile medical health tours. It has a consultation/treatment room, hospitality/kitchen area, wifi network, AV equipment, internal audio system, staff seating area and built-in worktops for promotional material. 

Natasha Greenley, director of Roadshow Promotions, said: “We’re delighted that the health bus is providing such a valuable service to communities. The flexibility and mobility of the bus mean the team at Richmond and Wandsworth Council can react to the needs of their residents’ wellbeing; helping them provide healthier communities.”

More at https://roadshowpromotions.co.uk/how-our-promotional-bus-is-taking-healthcare-to-the-community/