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More space coming for Fayetteville VA mental health services next month
Fayetteville Observer (NC) - 12/3/2014
Dec. 03--A new, large workspace for mental health services could be available to veterans as early as January.
The Fayetteville Veterans Affairs Medical Center is adding 14 modular units that will be assembled into a giant workspace for mental health services. The project costs about $500,000, including the site work and a two-year lease.
"There was a growing demand for mental health services," said Jeffrey Melvin, spokesman for the VA.
The plan had been in the works for a while, he said. It will accomplish two goals: provide more space for mental health providers, which will allow them to create integrated teams, and to get more veterans into appointments, which could reduce wait times.
The average wait time for new patients to receive an appointment for mental health services at the Fayetteville VA is about 13 days, and for established patients is about one day, according to data released by the national VA last month.
New Hanover County, which is part of the Fayetteville VA system, has the longest average wait time for mental health services for new patients at about 27 days, and Camp Lejeune has the longest average wait time for mental health services for established patients at about 19 days, according to the VA data.
Over the past two weeks, 13 trailers have been delivered to the Fayetteville VA complex. The last trailer is expected to arrive this week.
The trailers will be assembled together to create a 10,000-square-foot workspace. Before the space will be open and operational, it must be reconfigured, powered and outfitted with an information technology system, Melvin said.
The new building is in additional to space inside the hospital for mental health services, he said.
Staff writer Amanda Dolasinski can be reached at dolasinskia@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528.
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