FORT HOOD (Now designated Fort Cavazos), Texas – TRICARE-enrolled Soldiers, Family Members and Retirees can now receive appointments for urgent care needs after normal business hours at Thomas Moore Health Clinic.

The After Hours clinic opened April 4. Clinic hours are 5 – 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

Patients can schedule appointments by contacting the Patient Appointment Service at 254-288-8888 during normal business hours or 254-285-6227 during clinic hours.

The new clinic expands patient access to healthcare by giving beneficiaries an alternative to visiting the Emergency Department.

“Our aim is to meet the same-day acute care appointment needs of the population,” Lt. Col. Katrina Walters, Department of Family and Community Medicine chief said. “But the real benefit to patients is ultimately a decrease in time spent seeking care for these types of issues because they won’t have to go to the Emergency Department.”

The clinic offers care for issues that are urgent, but not considered emergencies. Urgent medical conditions are those that are not life-threatening, but require same-day care.

Urgent conditions include, but are not limited to: muscle sprains and strains, cuts, fever, flu, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat or coughs, eye irritations, ear pain, rashes, and urinary tract infections.

More serious issues such as chest pain, loss of consciousness, possible fractures or head injury require a visit to the Emergency Department. Beneficiaries should seek medical care in Emergency Department at the new hospital.