Rural health services are in desperate need of a boost after a recent series of incidents, and this week the county is calling for an update on its own rural health facilities.
According to the Rural King Collinsville Health Department, a vehicle that was not equipped with an approved rural health care license plate has caused multiple problems at one of its rural hospitals.
In addition, the county’s Rural King Synonym, a mobile hospital staffed by people who are not registered with the county, has also had several issues, including an ambulance running errands on the wrong side of the road, an elderly couple who were waiting for an appointment, and a resident who had a heart attack at a home care facility.
The emergency room at the Rural Synonym was on the verge of collapse when a vehicle carrying a family of four went through a turn at an intersection.
After the driver was arrested and released, emergency workers and police were dispatched to the hospital, but the vehicle was not registered.
“We have a couple of people who don’t have a rural license plate and we are trying to get them registered,” said county commissioner Todd Schoeller.
“It’s very frustrating because there is a lot of work that goes into getting that plate.
The cost is too high.”
The county also has had several collisions with a motor vehicle.
Last week, the rural health facility was hit by a truck that had a broken down vehicle tag.
In addition, an ambulance ran errands without an approved license plate, while a woman’s car was parked in a parking lot, and an elderly woman who was waiting for her appointment was unresponsive at home.
Rural King Synonyms is an off-the-grid, off-grid healthcare provider that provides health care to the rural counties of Central and South Carolina.
The rural health department has a mobile ambulance service and is also in need of funding to provide an on-site ambulance.
The county is asking for an increase in funding to support the emergency response.
“The most important thing for us is to get the right license plate,” Schoell said.
“We can’t afford to get it wrong.”
Rural Health Services is located on the grounds of the North Carolina State Capitol, and is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Contact Sarah Miller at [email protected]