West Palm Beach VAMC

Reviews 6

RO

Robert Burke

I swear that the reviews are solicited from people who work there. The facility has not been upgraded in 20 years. There are very good people working at this facility and there are terrible people who should have been fired. Cardiology dept is phenomenal, as well as ICU staff Urology dept is horrendous, and advise going outside VA for any urological issues. Pre-op is a disgusting place, and you can lie in a horse stall in your bed for up to three to four hours. As for myself, I left after 3.2 hours, as the head urologist lied to me, and told me that the operating room was taken over for an emergency, when in fact the same doctor states in his notes on HealtheVet that radiology was understaffed, equipment was not available for surgery...lies, lies and more lies. Certain Department treat a veteran with respect, but short term care staff treats you as the enemy, and will ridicule you, badger you, and read you the riot act. Urologist states in person that I have a 15 mm kidney stone, yet two CT scans by radiologists state that the stone is 3 mm, and the second a 4 mm stone. And we should trust this doctor? Try getting a doctor outside VA through Choice program, now run by Health Net, a private third party insurance company. In my case Choice could not find a urologist anywhere in my community, and Choice searched forty urologists within 40 miles from my home. Even doctors who had previously accepted the program, now, reject it, because the Choice requirements are too stringent, and many, many doctors are not getting paid. This program was instituted when Gen Shensecci resigned, you know for the secret list that is still going on. Director of VA Medical Center is the typical bureaucrat, who CYA herself until her retirement in two months. So, I guess most of the reviewers have not been to the VA Medical Center in recent time, and I wish you well trying to find the correct doctor, who truly cares about veterans, and there are some, especially the nurses, but God help you if you do not do your homework, and research their history, education, residency, experience. Back in 2015, I had surgery for an aneurysm within my abdomen, and successfully had a stent placed within my Aorta. Great surgeon and nurses. Yet while in ICU, I was bleeding from a catherter, and on my own went outside the VA for a private urologist, after my soon departing GP notified urology as to a CT scan as being urgent, yet neither the GP or urology notified me. It took a GP nurse in cardiology to notice a cancerous mass within my bladder, and she took it upon herself to pick up the phone to tell me the bad news. I never received the letter from my GP, or was contacted by Urology. I immediately went to my private urologist for emergency surgery. I had a congressional investigation, and the Director CYA herself, in stating that radiology would not have notified me, because I stated this in my letter to my congressman, yet she never, ever took any responsibility for the GP not notifying me, or the urology dept. Good Luck Veterans!

---

MI

Mike Peters

I dont go to doctors very often thank goodness Im pretty healthy. But the few times I have been to the West Palm Beach VA hospital it has always been a very good experience. Today was one of those days. I have a hearing problem. So today I went in to the audio and hearing aid office for a hearing test so they could up grade my hearing aids. I did not have an appointment but the lady at the desk said they would worked me in as a walk in with a smile on her face. My next contact was with Dr Deas who did the hearing test. Dr Deas spent time with me advising me on my hearing loss and what may help me hear better and understanding people . I told her I have a very hard time understanding programs on TV so she suggested I get a device that helps boost the sound though my hearing aids and she ordered that device along with my new hearing aids that will help my hearing problem. Thank you Dr Deas for being there and helping me and being so nice. Michael Peters

---

JO

Jonathan Hodge

I was not a human in this federal organizations eyes. I was mentally and physically harmed while on the inpatient psych ward. The staff does not address emergencies, the care is atrocious and they do not listen to complaints. I just wanted the care that I needed and left in a worse mental state than when I arrived at that kill factory. Not to mention, the staff lost my previous hospitalization paperwork. They lost my clothes too, but after 14 hours they were found. I had to lie and say I was okay in order to get discharged so I did not harm the very disrespectful and lacking basic medical knowledge staff. I was given the right medicine, wrong format, wrong dose, wrong route and the staff lied to me and said it was okay. I have since hired a lawyer that deals with VA Medical Malpractice.

---

A

A Private User

I just moved to south FLorida and went to the West Palm Beach VA...wow was I in a world of shock. The place was so clean, nice and neat. I got all checked in, it only took about 15 mintues total. I was given doctor Robertson, and she was great. I got to see her just a few day later. She mailed me my meds and even the nurse watched my 8month old. I expressed my other problems with her and she was great she made me feel like I was her most important person. Later, when I went back the guy checking ID cards remember me and reminded me to get my vet ID card, they even helped me to my doc office with my stroller, diaper bag, purse, medical record. etc. The parking lots looks full all the time but in fact it is really not, they even have shuttles to come by and pick you up. Thank you VA.

---

HO

Hope Shumate

Called to schedule an appointment on7/08/14 and was transferred to the triage nurse who said that he would give my message to the nurse on duty... it is now 7/11/14 and I am still waiting on that call back. This is the second time this has happened to me... this is possibly the worst system EVER to make appointments. The first time my eye was swollen shut, flaky and red and the triage nurse said sounds like pink eye (Ive had pink eye and that it wasnt) my mom took me to her doctor where I paid out of pocket for the visit and script because I had eczema and a infection in my eye. Oh and the triage nurse called me back about that issue 3 days later. Such a shame that veterans CAN NOT get the appointments and help we need.

---

BI

Bill Nevin

A short time ago I thought the va was a well oiled machine, then the va scandal hit. Things seamed to change there or maybe I payed more attention to there imperfections. A years wait for a dermatologist appointment or yearly physicals lasting 5 minutes with your primary Doctor. May be my fault for not being more proactive. This past week I had a sciatic issue. No open appointments with primary had to go thru the er. Today same issue same results. Go thru er and have to see a float Doctor. Both times doctors were wonderful. Wish when you had an immediate issue you could be fit in with your primary Doctor. Im very thankful I/we have the va though sometimes it could be a little frustrating

---

---