After a brief hiatus during the summer, The Sherbourne Health Centre’s Health Bus has a new look and team, its level of medical services bolstered to meet the evolving needs of east Toronto.

The specially-designed vehicle was delivered to the hospital this week from the U.S., and in mid-October, it will roll through the streets once again, tending to those who need it most, said Chantel Marshall, program director at the Sherbourne Health Centre, before a media event slated for late afternoon Thursday.

The program, which has been in operation for over 20 years, serves Toronto’s most vulnerable and underserved people: the homeless and underhoused.

Under its roof will work three full-time staff members instead of nine part-time positions. A nurse practitioner, a mental health counsellor and a program worker will work year-round from the vehicle. The first role is particularly important because they will able to treat and diagnose clients on the spot.

“We can do more primary care on the bus now,” said Marshall. “It’s built to be a clinic space. Our other program just had a registered nurse. (Nurse Practitioners) can write prescriptions and do emergency diversion. They can work at an expanded scope.”

They can also test for HIV, conduct pap smears, blood tests, and mend certain injuries, said Marshall.

“You could only go so far,” said Emery Potter, the nurse practitioner, who had a stint in the former bus. “I think this bus will be able to meet people’s needs. We’re going to be a one-stop shop, see people where they are.”

The two vehicles are completely different, Potter said — the new model is wheelchair accessible, for instance; on a desk sits two laptop computers; at the back is large office with various instruments adorning the walls.

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