SAN LUIS OBISPO: Hospital To Lease Space For New VA Clinic

      The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a plan to lease a portion of the first floor of General Hospital to the Veterans Administration for a part-time clinic. The San Luis Obispo County Telegram-Tribune reports the plan calls for leasing 2,500 square feet of the first floor of the hospital for an annual rent of $51,000. Between 25,000 and 30,000 veterans live in San Luis Obispo County, according to Assistant Veterans Service officer John Fitzpatrick. Approximately 10% of them must drive to Santa Barbara for medical care, a "hardship" for some frail, elderly patients. The VA clinic, slated to be open two days a week, will serve patients who require regular monitoring for conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. The nearby Santa Barbara facility will continue to offer specialized care (Lawrence/Wilcox, 4/22). Although there has been public discussion of closing General Hospital, for the time being the facility "continues to operate and provide inpatient services, a walk-in clinic and family care center" (San Luis Obispo County Telegram-Tribune, 4/23).