Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Big Difference Between VA Regions

Over the past few weeks, I have had appointments in different VA regions, and I have noticed a pretty big difference between different hospitals.  I live in New Hampshire, which is the only state without a full-service VA medical facility.  I had an appointment in Boston in the pain clinic, and it was amazing how different that hospital is from Manchester, NH.  The staff in Boston seemed a lot more friendly than in Manchester, and the doctor I saw actually listened to me about my knee problems when nobody in Manchester would.  I have had to call the White River Jct, VT hospital to set up appointments, and I get a hold of somebody right away without being put on hold, which has never happened in over four years at Manchester.


There are still problems with all of these regional hospitals.  I just got into my appointment in Boston after waiting since January.  I was supposed to go in mid-May, but I just happened to call them right after somebody who canceled an appointment.  I cannot get in to see my primary care physician in the White River Jct. region until mid-May, even though I tried to set it up over a week ago.  It is taking too long to get in to see a doctor anywhere I have looked, and that is a big problem to me.  As a veteran, I should be entitled to healthcare that is as good as a regular civilian, and I don't know a single civilian doctor's office that makes their patients wait three to five months to be seen.  I don't know if it is because there is a lack of doctors or if they are just being very inefficient, but things need to change.

2 comments:

  1. Its kind of odd when you think about it, in the military everything runs on punctuality and a certain order, but a VA hospital gives one the feeling its nothing more than a common walk-in clinic.

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