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

"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."

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?

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.