LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. --- –
With the summer season underway, the Women's Health clinic at U.S. Air Force Hospital Langley has encountered an influx of patients.
According to U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ashley Williams, 633rd Medical Group Women's Health Clinic non-commissioned officer in charge, the clinic sees more than 120 patients during their busiest months. Due to the high volume of patients, the clinical providers have recently adjusted their schedules to accommodate active duty patients from the Langley Family Health Clinic and the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth.
Along with taking in patients from other clinics and hospitals, the WHC is being overwhelmed with patients who need to be seen prior to undergoing a permanent change of station.
"As of right now we've been able to manage, but we haven't exactly reached the heart of our summer yet," said Williams. "It's great that we have this connection with other hospitals because we can just put in a simple referral and then the patients can start receiving their care."
The combined obstetrics and gynecology clinic offers mammograms, pap smears, a dysplasia clinic, pregnancy care and every form of birth control.
Patients with complications outside the hospital's scope of care are more likely to be referred to NMCP or a civilian hospital.
"It's as simple as putting in a referral," said Williams. "It boils down to whether our hospital can accommodate for a patient, and patients are provided with more options for their care."
Williams said it has been a relief being able to refer a patient to other hospitals in the area if necessary.
For now, the Women's Health Clinic is doing what they can to see all of their patients at the Langley clinic, said Williams.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with the Women's Health Clinic, contact the U.S. Air Force Hospital Langley at 764-7630.