VA Outpatient Clinic

Reviews 4

L

L Gillespie

As a fellow healthcare worker, it gives me heartburn to have to rate the clinic so low. I have come in contact with great people during my experience. My level of frustration is epic with the process right now and unfortunately, the break in the process affects the entire process. I moved from Tampa to Jacksonville and had to wait almost 3 months for my initial intake and appointment. They were kind enough to offer me an opportunity to go to a civilian provider due to the long wait. Being a staunch believer in the VA system and a VA supporter, I told them that I would wait. My appointment was scheduled. Labs on Tuesday and appointment early on a Saturday morning. I was informed that the labs had to be within a week of the initial appointment. I traveled to Virginia to see my grandson and spoke adamantly about having to return early because I had waited months for my scheduled VA appointment. Tuesday, the lab work went well. As I have been concerned and my last provider and I were watching some lab values, I was interested in seeing if those values changed for the better or worse. Today, Friday, before my Saturday appointment. I received in the mail.....a letter stating that the appointment I had waited so long for......had been cancelled! As I didnt return home today until 4:30, the clinic is closed. I can not reschedule because the clinic closed at 4:30. If it takes too long, I will have to repeat my lab work. More than that, as this is my first appointment with my provider, whom has never met with me prior, who can discuss the lab work with me. even if I cant be seen right now? I feel, for the first time, like a number, a vet just lost in the system. I never experienced this in Tampa. Being a previous Nursing Director, I can tell you that the system I worked in would not allow things like this without a quick remedy. If a provider is out....we work new intake, uncomplicated providers into others schedules, but we worked as a team. Our other providers, all 4 would ban together and fit in two patients each. We would contact the patients, explain there may be a delay and why. The patient could then opt to reschedule or understand the possible wait. The other physicians patients were also informed of the emergency and as everyone would be seen, just with a delay, most people were happy. There would sometimes be some grumbling, but at the end of the day....each patient was still seen that day if they chose to. Seeing patients is what we are there for. Patient care.....which currently as far as I know, I may not be cared for, for up to six months if it takes another 3 months. If I have to wait another 3 months, re-do labs etc, where is the remedy. I have always thought highly of the VA healthcare system. I have heard the rumors....but this is the first time ever that I thought of the many people who have died waiting for appointments. It shouldnt take over 3 months for this appointment. I am truly disappointed.

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NI

Nigel Ledford

First, I would like to say I do not work at the clinic as another reviewer has suggested. I give 5 stars to this clinic as, for about 10 years now, I have received exactly the health care needed by kind and caring VA reps, provided I follow the rules. I have been seen same day three times when I had symptoms that needed attention fast. I have been given pain meds when needed. I did not feel accused of being a "druggie" despite my long haired hippie appearance. They asked what I needed, I told them, they made it happen. Thats it. Treat them with kindness and respect and you will get the same back. Do not miss your appointment. PERIOD. If you are going to miss it TELL THEM PLEASE! For the love of all things good tell them so that they may give your spot to someone who can make it. These people are busy. They are working their butts off to make sure you get the best they have to offer. If you miss your appointment, you are wasting their time, and therefore postponing another vets treatment that NEEDS that time. It is fairly simple. Respect what they are giving you for free or at very low cost. It is very valuable. Sure there will be problems and snags as with any healthcare system. Ask those with a $800/month policy how their system is working. You will find the same complaints. It makes me sick to see all these low rated reviews and then five stars with no comments? Lame. So heres my two cents. I love these people for what they do for us and you should too. If you do not get what you need the first time you ask for it, instead of sitting on your laptop and complaining about it, try again. Dont ask=Dont get. Persistence wins. Kindness goes much further than being a jerk AND it makes you feel better to be kind. Thank you for reading this rant-like review. Good luck in you pursuit of wellness. I hope to see you at the clinic smiling, shaking hands, acting like an adult, and being grateful for the hard working people at the VA. I know I am.

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A Private User

The VA Clinic sets appointments, then when you get there, you are told it is canceled, or you get a nasty letter saying you missed an appointment that you never knew you had. Some of the primary care doctors stop medications for veterans they have never even seen, medications that the veteran has taken for more than 20 years, medications that it is dangerous to suddenly stop taking, and veterans are forced to order the medications online from foreign countries because most vets do not have a non-VA doctor. Primary care doctors will discontinue pain medications, even muscle relaxants, for veterans in serious pain, but will not refer the vet to physical therapy and the vet just has to suffer until he can get enough money together to order his pain meds online from a foreign country. I do not know about other VA clinics, but the way the VA clinic in Jacksonville treats veterans is shameful. The chief of staff will not change the primary care doctor of a veteran, even though it says on the VA website that the veteran has a say in who his primary care doctor is, and the so-called VA Hotline is a waste of time. You contact the Hotline, and you are referred back to the VA clinic, where no one cares if you live or die!

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Talabog Bosyo

I had an appointment at VA Gainesville, Fl but I lived in Jacksonville so I requested a ride from VA Jax to VA gainesville. The day before my appointment i received a call by MS. SABRINA JOHNSON at 5pm telling me they cant find my appointment and asked me for my name and last 4 and still could not find it so they asked me for my full SSN but i did not give it to her for I wanna make sure she is really from VA. When i told her im not going to give it to her and i had a better idea but i did not even get a chance to finish and she said well if you dont wanna give your SSN then we have to cancel your ride. I was going to suggest that i call her back then i can give her my SSN. then finally later on she realized that i can call her back instead, then while she was explaining it to me she was telling me that once i called it will say VA etc... she was treating me like an idiot... very terrible manner.... she deserves to get fired.... anyways after i called back in not even more than a minute she answered and said well now its too late coz her supervisor already logged out. very horrible....

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