Pilot project also offers telehealth services
Members of Rapp at Home, a nonprofit for seniors, can now make appointments for non-emergency care at the telehealth clinic in the Rappahannock County Elementary School.
The pilot project involving Rappahannock County Public Schools, Rapp at Home and Valley Health is the first initiative of the Rappahannock Rural Health Network (RRHN), a consortium formed last year by regional healthcare providers, local nonprofits and community organizations to explore ways to expand healthcare options in Rappahannock.
One of its initial goals was to make the school clinic’s services available to adults in the community. It provides care for non-life-threatening conditions and offers testing and treatment for strep, flu, COVID, ear infections and rashes. It also provides telehealth access to Valley Health physicians, who can recommend further testing and prescriptions.
“This is a first step towards improving health care in the community,” said Rapp at Home President Joyce Wenger. “Following this pilot program, we hope to receive further grant funding to allow us to expand clinic hours, include the broader community and provide additional services.”
For now, only Rapp at Home members — also known as “friends” — will be able to make appointments between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Before a visit, however, they must first complete several forms available through Rapp at Home. Call 540-937-4663 to get the forms. They can then be emailed to [email protected].
Appointments can then be made by calling the clinic after 9 a.m.at 540-793-1371. Patients need to bring copies of the forms, insurance card and a driver’s license. They should enter the school through the main entrance and tell the secretary they are there for an appointment at the clinic.
The rural health network is also exploring the potential use of mobile health units in the county, and how fire and rescue staff might expand their roles to provide non-emergency check-ins on residents.
In addition to Rapp at Home and Rappahannock public schools, RRHN includes representatives of Valley Health, UVA Health, Aging Together, Fauquier Free Clinic, Mountainside Physical Therapy, Encompass Community Supports, Rappahannock County Emergency Medical Services, Virginia Department of Health and the PATH Foundation.
