JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
The countdown is on as Naval Health Clinic Charleston draws near to the opening of their New Clinic.
The new Naval Health Clinic will be a Joint Ambulatory Care Clinic and is scheduled to open Sept. 20. The Joint Clinic is an 188,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility serving active duty personnel and their family members, retirees and veterans, which will offer a well-rounded, comprehensive health care system and a new pharmacy drive-up window to pick-up prescriptions.
"These are truly exciting times for NHCC as we transition to our new Joint Clinic; this move has been long anticipated," said NHCC Commanding Officer Navy Capt. Paula McClure.
Although the NHCC is only a short while from the move to a new facility, there are more than 30 years of memories at its current Rivers Avenue location. The NHCC has witnessed the transition from Naval Hospital Charleston to Naval Health Clinic Charleston and now to a new joint clinic.
"No matter what location, NHCC will continue to provide the best patient and family-centered care," said Captain McClure.
This joint venture clinic is the result of coordination between the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs, with the VA utilizing approximately 15 percent of the clinic. Although the DOD and VA will remain separate entities, the facility itself will be consolidated.
In March 2007, the DOD and VA broke ground at Naval Weapons Station Charleston to begin building the $47 million facility which will consolidate all existing Navy military medical services and expand VA support for South Carolina's veterans.
With the transition to the new clinic, change will be present. The Naval Health Clinic will offer the same services, but will use newer technology and equipment to fulfill the needs of patients. The VA will offer primary care and mental health services to VA patients. They will also share cardiology and orthopedic services with the Naval Health Clinic.
Access to the clinic will also change. Since the clinic is located on the Naval Weapons Station, all NHCC patients will be required to have a vehicle decal to enter the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command Circle gate where the Naval Health Clinic is located. To obtain a decal, see the Pass and Badge Office on the Naval Weapons Station.
The new clinic hours will be from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Within six months the clinic plans to expand hours to better serve patients. The mailing address is Nuclear Power Training Command Circle, Goose Creek, S.C. 29445.
Contact numbers coming online in late-September for the new clinic are:
Information: 794-6000
Central Appointments: 794-6221
Pharmacy: 794-6100
Pharmacy Refill Only: 794-6120
TRICARE: 794-6030