Area veterans can learn more about a health clinic coming in the spring.
The Veterans Administration is offering community meetings to answer questions about the opening of a VA clinic at 1408 East St.
The Iola VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic will absorb three other clinics — in Chanute, Garnett and Fort Scott — and offer a greater variety of services.
The VA will meet at each of the four communities in February. In Iola, the meeting is scheduled for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8, at the Dr. John Silas Bass North Community Center, 505 N. Buckeye St.
Those who attend can learn about plans for the new clinic and services, as well as an update on the status of current clinics. They can apply for VA health care on site and ask questions.
THE NEW Iola clinic will offer more services at a centralized location.
That includes primary care, behavioral and social health care, and women’s services. The clinic will have laboratory services available five days a week, including vaccinations. Additional services include home-based care, where nurses can meet with veterans who are unable to travel.
Telehealth services also are available; veterans can come to the office to receive audiology, vision and other services through the VA’s medical center in Topeka.
The clinic will be located in offices formerly used by the Family Physicians, which is moving to a different section of the building. The Iola Pharmacy will remain at its site in the building.
The building provides 5,200 square-feet of space for VA services as part of a 10-year lease. After remodeling, the VA clinic is expected to open in May. The new location is conveniently located on U.S. 54 and about half a mile from the U.S. 169 interchange.
Smaller clinics in Garnett, Chanute and Fort Scott will close. Currently, 856 veterans utilize the three clinics. Veterans who use those clinics are expected to transfer services to the Iola clinic but can choose to go elsewhere. Veterans can attend any of the community meetings to discuss options with VA representatives.
OTHER meetings will be:
• Garnett. 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6, at the Garnett Public Library Archer Room, 125 W. 4th Ave.
• Chanute. 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, Student Union, Room No. 214, 800 W. 14th St.
• Fort Scott. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, Fort Scott Community College Student Union – Bailey Hall, 2108 S. Horton St.
