Community project funding/congressionally directed spending - construction - since the closure of the local hospital in 2017, access to medical care has been drastically reduced to patrick county…

Community project funding/congressionally directed spending - construction - since the closure of the local hospital in 2017, access to medical care has been drastically reduced to patrick county residents. According to the healthy patrick county community health survey, conducted in 2018, 46% of residents leave the community for medical care. Doctor patient ratios are much higher than state rate for physicians, mental health practitioners and dentists. Patient transportation is made to MT. Airy, NC or martinsville VA, taking ambulances out of service for hours per call, reducing the ability to respond to local emergencies. Emergency response times are negatively impacted due to travel time. The list of other local conditions that negatively impact community health outcomes is boundless. Patrick county emergency services has purchased one mobile emergency trailer unit and has the ability to purchase an additional trailer to provide proactive mobile healthcare in the greater patrick county region. While the county has procured the vehicles and the personnel to conduct this program, equipment needs, including communication for telehealth, is an immediate obstacle to success of this project. Even the most basic procedures like ultrasounds and wellness checks can create a more positive end result and significantly reduce costs for long-term care and workforce challenges. In conjunction with the virginia department of health - west piedmont health district, patrick county has developed plans to improve telehealth options through deployment of broadband and communication initiatives. Specifically, patrick county is seeking funds to purchase and outfit two mobile healthcare trailer units. The first unit would handle challenges associated with women's health, maternal needs, and perinatal care. The second would address challenges associated with cardiovascular and other nutrition-based health care needs.