WILMINGTON, DEL. – Vietnam veterans who rallied on March 25 in Wildwood and Ocean View for health care facilities in Cape May County may be within 60 days of having their demands met.
Vincent Kane, interim associate director of operations, Wilmington Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, confirmed March 29 that discussions of partnership with Cape Regional Medical Center have been ongoing.
A formal announcement is likely to be made in the next 30-60 days about such an arrangement, he said.
Kane used an example of a radiology follow-up for a veteran who may be concerned with traveling to Wilmington for the treatment.
“Our doctor would call one of our nurse navigators to organize an appointment,” said Kane. That would trigger a doctor-to-doctor conversation about care at Cape Regional Medical Center. When completed, the information from the visit would be sent to the VA.
Kane added the VA is seeking partnerships with an organization like Cape Regional Medical Center, especially since it is the county’s only hospital.
Kane, who has been in his position since Nov. 1, 2016, said: “The amount of resources being thrown into South Jersey is second to none in the VA.” He acknowledged the veterans’ concerns expressed at the rally.
“We can never respond quick enough, but we are committed to high quality partnered care. That has not always been the case,” Kane said.
He noted it is part of a new VA initiative to take better care of veterans.
Kane said he had discussions with some of the veterans who voiced concerns at the rally. One, in particular, who told of wanting to be tested for Hepatitis C, and told he had to wait until December, got Kane’s attention.
He said that the Community-Based Outpatient Clinic at the Cape May Coast Guard Training Center would be able to administer the test, using an electronic strip, as long as it was done when a VA lab was open. The veteran can be tested the same day, Kane added.
Kane added that he was familiar with the veteran who made the statement and added, “There is an order screen for a request for testing.”
As to the veteran’s statement of being told to wait until December, “I concur. Nobody should have to wait that long,” said Kane. He said the veteran would be treated in a “much more timely way.”
VA will embark on a campaign for those who believe they may have Hepatitis C. It is high-risk; they will be urged to be tested. “Please, come in and get this screen,” said Kane.
“We have effective treatments, screening, and treatment, so please come in and get it,” he added.
Kane also cited the Veterans Choice program. He said VA had worked with over 200 providers of medical care to allow veterans to get care closer to home, thus removing the need to travel to a medical center.
In general, if a veteran lives over 40 miles from a VA medical facility, or has been told an appointment cannot be made within 30 days, the VA Choice program may be available.
“We want care that is more locally available,” Kane said, citing the aging population of veterans using VA medical services.
“Virtual” Care Anywhere
James Torok, interim manager of the Community-Based Outpatient Clinics in South Jersey also joined the conference call March 29.
He mentioned the availability to every veteran of specialized care that may be in a distant location.
“A prime example, there was a veteran in Cape May who needed to speak with a genetic counselor. The closest one in the Philadelphia area was one in Salt Lake City. She ‘covers’ us virtually,” said Torok.
The veteran in Cape May spoke via computer with the specialist, face-to-face. “The service was rendered, and there was no travel required on the veteran’s part, and the information was passed on as needed,” said Torok.
“Being able to default to virtual care and community choice brought a whole lot more to the table,” Torok added.
“What you are hearing is that there is a real commitment to delivering care where and when the vet needs it, and we are doing it in a way that is least disruptive to a veteran’s life,” said Kane.
Kane said April 29 at Atlantic Cape Community College’s Cape May County Campus in Court House VA representatives would be present in the afternoon. They will enroll veterans in VA Health Care and Benefits. At the same time, a representative from the National Cemetery Administration will be present to answer questions.
“We are hoping for a big turnout. We want veterans to take this opportunity to learn more about the VA,” said Kane.
Stone Harbor – I want to take this time to say how appreciative and lucky we are as a town to have a career paid fire department. One of the few good decisions council has made in the last 5 years. Thank you stone…
