The expansion adds more exam rooms, Audiology and a Special Driving Rehabilitation Room

(Washington Twp., NJ) - The most recent expansion of the Gloucester County VA Health Clinic at the County's Offices at 5-Points will include the building now being completely dedicated to serving veterans announced Freeholder Director Stephen M. Sweeney and Freeholder Joe Chila.

The county has been moving offices and working with officials at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center for several months in order to expand the number of exam rooms, conference rooms and make other service areas available so the VA can provide more services to area veterans.

"This is the third expansion the county has made to the Health Clinic since we started offering medical services to our veterans nine years ago," said Freeholder Director Stephen M. Sweeney.  "When we are done with this expansion there will be 14 exam rooms, and Audio clinic for hearing tests, a special driving rehabilitation room to help veterans with disabilities learn how to operate equipment, an expanded vision clinic, a new waiting area and a large conference room where group meetings can be held," said Sweeney.

"The county is committed to providing the space the VA needs to offer these services, we believe our veterans deserve a facility where they are treated with dignity," said Sweeney.  Freeholder Director Sweeney said that the expansion is being performed in-house' by county workers.

Sweeney said that the renovation is being performed on about two-thirds of the 12,000 square foot building and should be completed in winter of 2009.

The expansion will consist of:

• New larger signage at the road
• Adding 5 exam rooms and 4 mental health rooms
• An addition of an Audio Booth for hearing tests
• Drivers Rehabilitation Room
• Large Conference room to do group meetings
• Five new offices to meet with and conduct veterans issues
• New waiting room that can handle ever increasing veterans population

Freeholder Joe Chila, liaison to Veterans Affairs, said that the vision clinic that began last year at the Health Clinic was so successful that the VA will be expanding that service and offering an Audiology Clinic.

"The VA has committed to adding these additional services and the staff to support this expansion because the need is here and the county is always willing to cooperate and provide the necessary space for the veterans," said Freeholder Chila.

Chila said, "By offering these services at our Clinic, Veterans don't have to drive to Philadelphia or Delaware to go to the VA Hospital."

The VA clinic provides a wide range of wellness services such as the regular check-ups recommended to those with diabetes or high cholesterol.  Clinic services are available to veterans who have registered with the Philadelphia VA Medical Center (to use the Gloucester County VA Health Clinic veterans must be in the Philadelphia system).  Appointments are necessary for all clinic services. 

"The Philadelphia VA Medical Center welcomes this chance to expand our services and take even more programs closer to our veteran patients," said Richard S. Citron, Medical Center Director.  "We value our partnership with Gloucester County and look forward to working together on behalf of Southern New Jersey's veterans."

To register, make an appointment, or if you have any questions, please call 401-7665.  The clinic will be open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM.  The VA Clinic is located at 211 County House Road in Sewell.

The architectural rendering of the Office of Veterans Affairs and VA Health Clinic at 5 Points is attached to this email.