Siouxland children with special needs get new treatment space - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

Siouxland children with special needs soon won't have to travel as far for treatment.

A bare space inside the Siouxland District Health Department is bare right now, but after receiving approval from the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors, it will be used to help children with special needs.

It'll house a childhood specialty clinic based out of the University of Iowa.

"It fits well with what they're doing. If they need nutritional advice, consultations, we have licensed dietitians. Looking through our immunization program, there's just a lot of pluses related to its potential," said Kevin Grieme, director at the Siouxland District Health Department.

The new clinic area includes a waiting room, two offices and a treatment area.

A physician's assistant will be on site to treat patients in person. Plus, satellite technology will be put in place, to connect the patients with medical specialists at the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

"So, it's kind of a unique approach, but it really brings the services that they need closer and more accessible to them," said Grieme.

Once the contracts are signed and the technology brought in, the clinic should be up and running before 2013.

Because Siouxland District Health already has a lease on the building, there will be no additional costs to either the company or the tax payers, when the clinic opens up.

The clinic would not be free, but Grieme says it would be low cost.