MEDICAL CLINIC COMING TO BURTON
Health care services will soon become more readily available for Burton residents.
"cargo clinic" will be coming to Burton, next to the
EMS station. The clinic will be delivered fully
stocked with medical supplies. Each clinic is painted
with a mural that pays tribute to a fallen member of
the armed services.
(courtesy Burton Bridge Ministry)
The Burton Bridge Ministry announced in its winter newsletter that through a partnership with health care providers and city and county officials, rural medicine is coming to Burton by way of a “cargo clinic”. The 320-square-foot, container-based facility will be located next to the EMS station on Mulberry Street / Spur 125.
The clinic will be used as a rendezvous location for community paramedic patients, vaccine administrations, and a variety of other clinic uses yet to be determined. It will include a nurse’s workstation, an examination room, and an ADA-compliant restroom for obtaining testing samples.
The ministry said the cargo clinic is a collaboration with TAMU Build, a student-led organization of Texas A&M University that specializes in the construction of fully equipped mobile and stationary cargo container clinics. It says the clinic will eventually result in cost savings for Washington County, as many uninsured, indigent or homebound patients rely on EMS services for issues that could be better managed through clinical visits.
The Burton Bridge Ministry will connect patients to the clinic’s services and transport patients to the clinic. Washington County EMS will provide project leadership and site availability. According to the newsletter, EMS has already completed a grant application for the Washington County / Texas A&M University Cargo Clinic and will be responsible for the clinic’s long-term maintenance.
Texas A&M University’s School of Rural Health will oversee communications and rural health integration. TAMU’s School of Nursing will provide clinical oversight, billing compliance and physician supervision. TAMU’s Mark Riggins, who was formerly with HealthPoint, will lead the integration of telehealth and telemedicine.
The ministry said the cargo clinic will come at no cost to the county for construction, equipment or supplies. SpawGlass Construction has offered to donate all site preparation and infrastructure support, including the concrete foundation, electric connections and septic installation.
The cargo clinic is planned for delivery to the EMS station site in February, with a soft launch targeted in April.