Did you know there was an Audit of VHA’s Efforts To Improve Veterans’ Access to Outpatient Psychiatrists?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 15:04:30 -0400

Did you know there was an Audit of VHA’s Efforts To Improve Veterans’ Access to Outpatient Psychiatrists?

RP Members check out the results!

http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVAOIG/bulletins/1163a2c?reqfrom=share

Audit of VHA’s Efforts To Improve Veterans’ Access to Outpatient Psychiatrists

You are subscribed to Oversight Reports for Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (OIG). This information has recently been updated, and is now available.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Aug 25 at 2015 3:21 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 15:21:09 -0400

I want to say the usual negative things about the VA, but it's already been said. Change will happen one day I'm sure of it. On who's watch might be the right question?

Response by SMSgt David Zobel made Aug 25 at 2015 5:49 PM

SMSgt David Zobel — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 17:49:54 -0400

No surprises

Response by CPT Bruce Rodgers made Aug 25 at 2015 6:32 PM

CPT Bruce Rodgers — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 18:32:33 -0400

They don't fill the mental health positions, trust me I know

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Aug 25 at 2015 7:01 PM

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 19:01:48 -0400

What I find interesting or frustrating is that many respondents hope for "change" to come. These issues afflicting VA aren't new, they have had these issues for many, many years. Forecasting budgets some years ago and Congress handed VA their ass then. Where are we at today, VA failing to appropriate forecast their budget. Staffing? Ok, we hire the staff, where is the funding for their furniture, equipment or more importantly, their space. Oh yeah, the rules Congress has put in place make it an "Act" of Congress to get more space. That could take years.

I recall the previous administration established a "Presidential" panel to conduct town hall type hearings across the country. I attended one. All these folks did was listen to people vent. It got no where. One person in particular was a social worker, non-veteran, however her family member was a veteran. She was describing how she couldn't get hired. The Panel indicated that was wrong. BS!!! They didn't have enough information and was placating this woman. The fact was this woman didn't have the credentials Office of Personnel Management has in place for a Social Worker's position. VA requires a Masters and this woman had a Bachelor's degree. They should have told this woman she need to complete her education, not just placate her. Of course of the Masters level social workers we had at the time, I would have traded 3 or 4 for this woman because at least she was articulate and brave to stand before all these people. We have clinical staff who shy away from veterans. But that's another story.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Nov 8 at 2015 5:14 AM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 05:14:25 -0500

"OIG found that VHA did not have an effective method for establishing psychiatrist staffing needs. Throughout recent hiring initiatives, VHA did not stress a specific need for psychiatrists; instead, facilities determined their own staffing needs."