Provide Community Services
Mobile Clinics
established through public-private partnership

Virginia Department of Health

implemented this best practice in 1997

Qualifying under the Best Practices catalogue:
3 Provide Capabilities
33 Provide administrative support services
335 Provide community services

Best Practice Summary
(how it works, how you measure it)

A Mobile Clinic (Family Health Connection) was funded through a Department of Education grant to serve a low-income area of the Health District. The Health District "owns" the vehicle and provides gas, repairs and maintenance. Potomac Hospital staffs the clinic with Nurse Practitioners and has arranged for physician back-up. The clinic parks at the homeless shelter in the area, St. Francis House, in a low-income apartment complex, and a United Methodist Church on "soup kitchen" night. Last year the clinic saw over 3,000 persons for primary medical care.

Recently, a second vehicle was purchased by the Hospital Auxiliary. The second vehicle will be licensed and staffed in the same manner as the first one. Services will now expand into Dale City, parking at several churches and other facilities as can be arranged.

Impact on the Process Organizational Performance (OUTCOMES)

This mobile clinic service has improved access to primary medical care for low-income populations in the Health District. It has relieved the workload of the Prince William Area Free Clinic, which only meets one night a week and has reduced the workload on the Potomac Hospital Emergency Room, allowing these resources to be directed to other patients.

Best Practice Qualification

Besides the sheer numbers of persons served, the Director of the Action in the Community through Service (A. C. T. S.) Homeless Shelter and representatives of the local churches have indicated that this project is an overwhelming success at reaching underserved populations in the District.

For Additional Information

Virginia Department of Health
Prince William Health District
9301 Lee Avenue
Manassas, VA 20110

Anne Terrell
(703) 792-6320
aterrell@vdh.state.va.us

James Gillespie, Executive Director
Action in the Community through Service (A.C.T.S.)
(703) 441-8606

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