NORTHFIELD — U.S. Congressman Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02) along with U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker issued the following statement regarding their lack of confidence in the leadership at the Wilmington VA Medical Center to oversee the community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) in South Jersey which administer medical care to South Jersey veterans:
“As our veterans served their nation with bravery and honor at home and abroad, it is our duty to ensure they receive the best care and treatment here at home. The medical care South Jersey veterans have been receiving from local VA facilities is inconsistent and deteriorating in quality. While medical and support staff on the ground at South Jersey CBOCs do an outstanding job to care for our veterans, it is clear they do not have the resources, manpower or support from their leadership needed to consistently provide the highest quality care. We no longer have confidence in the leadership at the Wilmington VA Medical Center to oversee operations at South Jersey CBOCs to ensure our veterans are properly cared for and treated with respect and dignity.”
At a press conference in Northfield the morning of May 6, Congressman LoBiondo and Senator Menendez were joined by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Deputy Undersecretary for Health for Operations & Management Janet Murphy in outlining immediate changes at the three (3) South Jersey CBOCs in Northfield, Cape May and Vineland. Key administrative and hiring actions being implemented include:
• As of Mon., May 9 the South Jersey CBOCs will be put into stewardship by the VA under the direct supervision of the VISN (Veterans Integrated Service Network) 4 Director, thus no longer under the leadership of the Wilmington VA Medical Center;
• The hiring of (4) additional behavioral health staff: Suicide Prevention Coordinator SW, SA Social Worker, SW Case Manager and a Psychiatric APRN;
• The hiring of (6) additional medical staff: (2) Registered Nurses, (2) LPNs, and (2) MSAs; and,
• Creation of an on-site clinic manager position for Northfield CBOC.
Also announced by the VA will be the changes – effectively immediately – in policy to facilitate better communication and cooperation with South Jersey veterans, including:
• Behavioral health services will be available from the Wilmington VA via tele-mental health to provide additional capacity for urgent psychiatry and psychology services for South Jersey’s CBOCs five (5) days per week;
• A tele-mental agreement will be put in place with the Pittsburgh VA tele-mental hub to provide additional capacity, creating same-day access;
• VISN 4 will provide review to any hardship requests made by veterans requesting healthcare treatment by local, non-VA providers. The VISN Chief Medical Officer will review requests previously denied;
• Education and guidelines will be provided regarding the ability of providers to respond to a veteran’s request for services at Wilmington VA or the Philadelphia VA by providing the appropriate consult; and,
• Surveying South Jersey veterans using the CBOCs for their preferences for extended hours at the CBOCs, acting upon the results.
“These actions are merely the first steps to get our CBOCs the leadership they deserve. Throughout the coming weeks and months, we expect constant communication and consultation with the VA on the progress they are making and obstacles they are encountering. We appreciate their ongoing cooperation and commitment to right these wrongs for South Jersey veterans,” LoBiondo, Menendez and Booker concluded.
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