Larger clinic for veterans long needed

 For a long time one of the complaints we have heard from area veterans is that they need more health care available to them locally rather than having to drive long distances to get medical attention.

  Fortunately, there is some good news about the situation. The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced plans to build a larger clinic here to provide more services. It should be ready in about 2-1/2 years.

  It will be a significant step. Currently the VA outpatient clinic here, located at 2555 E. Gila Ridge Road, is about 4,000 square feet. The new clinic will be 14,000 square feet and will provide more services such as a pharmacy and physical therapist.

  This new clinic is much needed. The current clinic is limited to primary care and Yuma's veteran community has to travel a long distance for specialized care when it is needed.

  Yuma is part of the Tucson VA district, so patients are referred there for specialized needs. This is a round trip of about 450 miles. VA facilities are also available in Phoenix and San Diego, but again those are fairly long drives.

  While a van service is provided by the clinic to take patients to Tucson, it is a tiring trip requiring a full day. For often aging veterans who depend on the VA for their care - the Yuma clinic serves about 3,700 veterans - it can be a difficult journey.

  These trips will continue to be necessary in some cases, but the number should be reduced when the clinic provides more services here.

  Of course, local veterans would like even more, perhaps even a full veterans hospital, but that is unlikely to happen in the near future.

  For the present, the new larger clinic will be a positive step toward meeting the nation's promise that was made to veterans to provide them with care after their service.