24-Hour nurse hotline ceases April 1

Published March 29, 2010
By the 49th Medical Group

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Effective April 1, 2010, the Air Force Medical Service is discontinuing the 24-hour Nurse Advice Line at the 49th Medical Group.

This change should have minimal impact to access to care for our beneficiaries.

The current process for a patient to access medical care 24 hours a day will not change. Patients will still call Central Appointments at (575) 572-2778 (APPT) for 24-hour, non-emergent care access.

Because of a current provider shortage and expanding mission, most non-active duty patients requiring a same day appointment will be referred to the network Urgent Care Clinic. We will continue to work with our non-AD patients to book needed routine and follow-up appointments.

When the 49th MDG is closed, patients needing emergency care (threat to life, limb or sight) are advised to go to the nearest emergency room or call 911. No referral is needed for emergency care.

Patients needing urgent non-emergency care should call (575) 572-2778 (APPT) to talk to a 49th MDG staff member. The healthcare provider on-call will provide a referral if you need to seek urgent care. A referral is needed before you seek non-emergency care downtown.

For further inquiries, please contact the 49th MDG at (575) 576-7652.