Clinical Resource Hubs increase access to care for 500,000 Veterans

Veteran Jonathan Pearson makes his home in the great north woods of New Hampshire far from the large VA medical facility that serves his region. For years, Pearson received care for respiratory problems as well as treatment for his lower back, knee and ankle from a team of dedicated providers at the Littleton Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC).

In 2022, travel became more difficult for Pearson, so the Littleton clinic called on a growing VA resource—Clinical Resource Hubs (CRH)—to ensure that he and other Veterans continued to receive super-quality care.

Clinical Resource Hubs are established at all of VA’s 18 health care networks to offer a combination of in-person care and telehealth services that eliminate gaps in care and meet the changing needs of medical facilities. For CBOCs and other VA facilities, CRHs provide infrastructure to increase access to a full range of VA clinical services when local sites experience gaps in care. Thanks to telehealth capabilities, the hybrid program allows rural Veterans like Pearson to get the care they need when they need it regardless of location. 

Access to care for 500,000 Veterans

Since its start in 2015, CRH has grown exponentially. Today, over 500,000 Veterans have received care through the program at nearly 90% of VA care sites across the U.S. And the number of appointments for mental health care, primary care and specialty care (clinical pharmacy, rehabilitation and pain management) has surpassed 2 million. Regarding providing VA-wide support for health care, CRH is uniquely positioned to offer innovative tailored solutions nationwide. For example, in the South-Central VA Health Care Network, CRH deploys emergency clinic support for local sites in the aftermath of hurricanes, helping to ensure continuity of care for Veterans.

And when facilities lose specialists like geriatric psychiatrists, CRH providers step in to provide mental health care support to Veterans. And for Veterans trying to navigate depression, pain management treatment and tobacco cessation but living too far from VA facilities to join in-person support groups, CRHs provide virtual spaces to connect.

For Veterans like Pearson, connecting virtually with a CRH provider has made all the difference. “They go above and beyond. I wish more Veterans knew. They make it pain-free and simple to access care. It’s no struggle,” he said.

For more on how Clinical Resource Hubs make a difference in VA health care, visit Clinical Resource Hubs (CRH).