“Throughout our history, when America called on her sons and daughters to put themselves in harms way to protect and defend our interests at home and abroad, these brave Americans answered her call expeditiously with honor and courage,” said Andrews.  “The time has come when many of America’s heroes are aging and in need of the care which was promised to them by their government. I thank Veteran’s Affairs Secretary Togo West, Jr. for his quick action in this matter and I am extremely pleased that we will be able to keep our promise to these exemplary American men and women.”

At a press conference at the Turnersville clinic, Andrews, joined by Gloucester County Freeholder Director Steve Sweeney, Freeholder Bill Krebs and Gloucester County Director of Veteran’s Affairs, Angelo Romeo, explained that the increase in funding will allow the County to staff a doctor, a nurse practitioner and one clerical staff person for one full day each week.  Prior to this increase, the County was only able to afford to staff one nurse practitioner and one nurse for half of a day each week.  

According to the United States Secretary of Veteran’s Affairs, these changes are scheduled to take effect by May 1, 2000.  The U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs has guaranteed that this new addition will increase the clinic’s capacity by at least 50%.  Prior to this, the County Veteran’s Outreach Clinic was able to accommodate approximately 11 patients per week.  

With these additions to the staff, the County estimates that they will now see 20-22 patients per week freeing up the backlog of patients that are currently forced to sign a waiting list for an appointment. Since its inception in June of 1999, the clinic has seen approximately 300-320 patients in that ten-month period but with this increase in staffing, it is estimated that in the next seven months the clinic will be able to see at least 600 patients.

The U.S. Secretary of Veteran’s Affairs has promised to review the caseload for this clinic in July of 2000 to determine whether additional measures are needed to reduce the wait time for an appointment at this clinic.  Congressman Andrews has asked Freeholder Krebs to report back to him on the whether the County feels that further staffing improvements are justified.

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