Complaints about VA hospitals pour in to ABC11 I-Team
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- The ABC11 I-Team is continuing to investigate the growing problems at VA hospitals across the country, and in North Carolina.
The VA mission is simple -- to provide the best health care to our nations veterans. However, nearly every vet we've talked to has a story about the VA coming up short.
As the scandal at the VA has grown, so has the number of complaints coming into our newsroom.
A military spouse said it took her husband a month to be diagnosed with "an-E. coli infection that spread to his kidneys." She said he's "still waiting on his antibiotics."
Another wife said she "became more agitated and anxious after learning her husband would have to wait five months to be seen." The scheduler, she writes, told him to "take it or leave it." "Really," she asks?
The I-Team caught up with VA officials last week, including the director of the Durham hospital, and asked about these emails and other stories we've been hearing about long waits and poor service. They told us they aren't hearing those complaints, and that they're proud of the hospital's record.
"I round, I meet with veterans, I round at every one of our clinics," said Durham VA Director Deanne Seekins. "We speak with them openly and honestly. We're a very transparent organization, and I train my staff."
Still, Seekins has two employees on paid administrative leave after allegations of "inappropriate scheduling" prompted an investigation by the inspector general.
It's not just the Durham VA under fire. We've seen complaints about hospitals from the Piedmont to the Sandhills.
One military wife called the Fayetteville VA "an absolute nightmare." Another said, "If you call in to make an appointment, you won't be seen for at least a month to five months."
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