Starting in September residents in Fort MacMurray and the greater Wood Buffalo area will have the opportunity to schedule an appointment with the Multiple Sclerosis mobile clinic again. The reason given by the Multiple Sclerosis Society for bringing back the mobile clinic was that area residents did not have access to permanent services for this condition so there is definitely a need for this type of service. Last year was the first year that Fort MacMurray residents and those in the greater Wood Buffalo area had access to the mobile clinic according to the Multiple Sclerosis Society local chapter coordinator Cait Evans. There will be informational sessions held to educate residents on MS, as well as treatment services available for those who have been diagnosed with this condition.

The Multiple Sclerosis mobile clinic in Fort MacMurray will have staff that includes a nurse practitioner and a neurologist. According to Evans “Leading up to the clinic last year, I had a few clients that hadn’t been to see a neurologist in a couple of years. And that’s quite important to keep up with your neurologist and keep going in for check-ups, even if nothing is changed, it’s always important to know what really is going up there. We had a few clients mention that they heard about (mobile clinics) in other places, and we kinda pushed for it last year. It went really well last year so we thought we’d do it again.” There is no permanent neurologist who practices in Fort MacMurray, so without the Multiple Sclerosis mobile clinic patients may need to travel to Edmonton or even British Columbia to get treatment. More information about the clinic and appointments can be found by calling 587-646-2146.