Guthrie unveils mobile maternity care unit

BINGHAMTON, NY (WBNG) -- Officials at Guthrie unveiled its new Maternity Oasis Mobile, or ‘MOM’ unit, on Thursday. The unit plans to provide prenatal care for expecting mothers and travel around the southern tier to provide care for patients in rural areas.

Nurse and Midwife Guthrie Heather Shingler said the new mobile care facility aims to provide care to those who are sometimes unable to physically access it.

“It’s just something that’s difficult. A lot of patients are unable to get the care that they need because of not having access,” Shingler said. “So, to be able to go out to our patients is really the heart of what I want to do and what I choose to do as a provider here.”

The mobile doctor’s office cares for patients in the prenatal, childbirth and postpartum stages of pregnancy. It will assist with any needs of patients, whether or not they are insured or able to pay.

“We will also provide social workers services; we will bring in dietitians into those neighborhoods, we will bring mental health resources resource workers,” said Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Guthrie Dr. Manuel Arreguin. “To be able to take care of this mom as holistically as we can.”

By appearing in rural areas, the ‘MOM’ unit can provide essential services that help Guthrie’s goals. Shingler said this includes decreasing pre-term birth and maternal mortality rates in New York State.

“If you have a job where you’re working 6:00 a.m. to four in the afternoon, and the health clinic that you usually go to is an hour and a half drive away closes at four in the afternoon,” Shingler said. “You’re not even able to get care at all. So, by being in local neighborhoods people are going to be able to get care.”

The mobile unit will officially begin operations next Monday. Guthrie will keep the public updated on its daily locations.