A new temporary veterans’ community-based outpatient clinic in Hinesville was seeing patients back-to-back almost immediately Tuesday morning after the clinic opened its doors.

“We’ve been hopping,” VA clinic nurse manager Jennifer Stokes said.

Clinic staff saw about 20 patients by 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Stokes said. The nurse manager said most of the patients who walked into the clinic on its first day open wanted information on how to get VA benefits, refill medications or make appointments. Other patients had blood drawn or had previously made appointments for that afternoon, Kevin Able with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs said. A grand opening for the temporary clinic is set for mid-August, Able said.

In addition to the two regular primary-care physicians on staff, the clinic will offer laboratory services, women’s health, services for OEF/OIF veterans and some telemedical services, according to Stokes.

Those needing psychological counseling can have telemental health sessions in the privacy of a clinic room with a mental-health provider, Stokes said. Teleretinal imaging for diabetic patients also is available, she said.

Read more in the July 9 edition of the News.