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WACH to open clinic in Richmond Hill
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Family members of active duty members stationed in and around Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield will soon have more access to health care with the projected spring 2011 opening of an Army community-based primary care clinic in Richmond Hill. The clinic is among 17 clinics the Army is opening near 14 installations across the United States.
“They (the clinics) will improve access and the overall quality of care, will standardize operations and the patient experience of care,” Army Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Eric B. Schoomaker said.
“Our goal is to have the right provider providing the right care at the right time, using the right venue that’s best for our families by making primary care services easier to access — making it more convenient for our patients,” said Col. Paul R. Cordts, commander of Winn Army Community Hospital.”
A lease has been signed for the clinic to be located at 2451A Highway 17, which formerly housed the Harvey’s/Food Lion store. A contractor is building out the leased space, which will be outfitted with new equipment, making it a state-of-the-art facility.
Family members will have the option of transferring enrollment from Winn Army Community Hospital, Tuttle Army Health Clinic and the TRICARE network to the new clinic. Those registered with TRICARE Prime will not have to re-register. Eligibility for care at the clinic is restricted by law to active duty family members. At the present time, TRICARE for Life, TRICARE Plus, retirees and retirees’ family members are not eligible to receive care at the Richmond Hill Medical Home.
The clinic is expected to employ seven primary care providers and one psychologist, and administer care to more than 8,000 people when fully staffed. It will provide pharmacy and laboratory services.
“This initiative improves access to primary care by reducing reliance on urgent care and emergency rooms at network facilities for routine health-care needs,” Cordts said. “These clinics help to validate the Army surgeon general’s commitment to improving access to care by ensuring convenient access to primary care in the community that augments the military’s care.”
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