A new health clinic inside Madison Elementary School on Wheeling Island has been complete for nearly two months, but has not yet treated any patients. (File Photo)

WHEELING — It has been almost two months since the ribbon was cut to officially declare the medical clinic at Madison Elementary School ready for patient use, but so far it has not been opened for business.

The clinic is a joint venture between Ohio County Schools and WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital, which will be operating the facility.

Superintendent Kim Miller said the delay is due to “paperwork,” as the two entities continue to clarify communication between all parties involved.

The matter is set to come before the Ohio County Board of Education when it next meets at 6 p.m. on Oct. 27 at the board office.

“We’re just wanting to make sure Wheeling Hospital and Ohio County Schools are on the same page with what forms need to be filled out,” she explained.

Questions surrounding parental permission already have been addressed, according to Miller. Permission slips for the clinic are to be sent home with students after the clinic opens.

Then, if a child then becomes sick at school or has a fever they will first be directed to the school’s main office. The office staff will next work with the school nurse to determine if the student needs further care. If so, a parent will be contacted and asked if they want their child to see the physician’s assistant and if they want to be present.

The official ribbon cutting for the clinic at Madison School took place on Sept. 4. At that time, examination and x-ray rooms were operational and ready for patients.

Once open, the clinic will start out as being only available to students at Madison Elementary.