ExxonMobil Fawley funded Waterside Health Bus hits the road, bringing NHS services closer to home

A new mobile health unit which delivers free NHS services directly into local communities has launched across the Waterside, thanks to £45,000 funding from ExxonMobil Fawley.

The funding has played a vital role in getting the Waterside Health Bus on the road, covering the purchase and conversion of the minibus, including the internal fit-out and vehicle livery, as well as the essential costs, healthcare supplies and equipment needed to launch the service.

Operated by Waterside Primary Care Network - a group of local GP practices working together to improve health outcomes and reduce inequalities across the region - the health bus provides residents with easier access to preventative healthcare in convenient community locations.

The service will provide essential NHS health checks such as blood pressure monitoring, and practical lifestyle advice alongside personalised health and wellbeing support and referrals to additional support services.

The minibus is available to residents registered with a Waterside GP surgery and operates as a drop-in service with no appointment required. Rotating between key locations on a fortnightly basis, it helps remove barriers to accessing healthcare and ensures support is available where it is needed most.

“We’re really pleased to see the Waterside Health Bus finally out on the road and bringing NHS health and wellbeing support directly into our local communities,” said Yvonne Sayers, Health and Wellbeing Team Lead at Waterside Primary Care Network.

“In particular, we hope to reach residents who may be eligible for an NHS Health Check, but who might not otherwise take up the opportunity. By bringing these services closer to where people live, work and spend time, we can help identify potential health concerns earlier and support people to make positive changes to their health and wellbeing.”

The Waterside Primary Care Network includes the Red and Green Practices, Forestside Medical Practice and Waterfront & Solent Surgery.

Jess Pickford, Clinical Director at Waterside Primary Care Network, said: “Our aim is to make prevention and early intervention a much more visible and accessible part of healthcare across the Waterside.

“The Health Bus gives us another way to connect with our patients in familiar community settings and have conversations about their health before problems become more serious. It also allows us to link people into the wider support available through primary care and our local community services.

“We’re delighted with how the Health Bus has been received so far and are grateful to ExxonMobil Fawley for their generous funding, which has helped us turn this idea into a service that can make a real difference to people across the Waterside.”

Joel Mizen, Site Manager at ExxonMobil Fawley, added: "It's fantastic to see the Waterside Health Bus now out in the community and providing residents with easier access to important health and wellbeing services.

“ExxonMobil Fawley recognises the importance of accessible healthcare and are pleased that our funding has helped provide not only the vehicle itself, but the equipment and essential running costs needed to get the service established and out into local communities.

“We hope the Health Bus will make a lasting contribution to the health and wellbeing of people living across the Waterside.”