Fayetteville opens new VA clinic

Patients will begin seeing medical providers this week at the 259,600-square-foot center, which will become the new home for most of the local VA's outpatient care.

Fayetteville VA Director Elizabeth Goolsby says the center will be a big improvement over the Fayetteville Veterans Affairs Medical Center and will eventually lead to long-awaited relief to patient waits. The medical center will continue to house administrative offices, in-patient care and some specialty care.

Officials say the new center will treat 38,000 veterans and their families each year, providing primary care, specialty care, day surgery, audiology, pharmacy and radiology services.

Its opening clears the way for VA officials to eventually close three temporary clinics, including two in Fayetteville.