[GeoGeo]

I just found out that the DAV only transports people for scheduled appointments to the VA in Gainesville. Someone we know was treated for cancer there. His doctors are there. He gets really sick and has to go up there without an appointment after hours or on weekends. You never know when it is going to be. And sometimes nobody is available to take him. Does anyone know of any options for transport? He will not go to the local emergency room or doctors because his doctors are up there and they know his history.

[Nightengale212]

Originally Posted by GeoGeo

I just found out that the DAV only transports people for scheduled appointments to the VA in Gainesville. Someone we know was treated for cancer there. His doctors are there. He gets really sick and has to go up there without an appointment after hours or on weekends. You never know when it is going to be. And sometimes nobody is available to take him. Does anyone know of any options for transport? He will not go to the local emergency room or doctors because his doctors are up there and they know his history.

I do not live in TV but am familiar with VA travel programs being a VA R.N. up north. The VA will not provide transport to a VA hospital ER for urgent health issues. The reason this policy is in place is that a patient's condition can decline during a lengthy transport to a hospital which the decline can often be averted with quicker physician evaluation and treatment at the nearest hospital.

Your friend probably does not realize this, but the VA has an exceptional electronic medical record system, and if the non VA ER physician who will be providing him care needs medical info he can call the Gainesville VA ER physician on duty who can provide him that info. Your friend can also request transfer to Gainesville if he requires admission. If his condition is stable and an appropriate bed is available, the Gainesville VA ER physician will authorize and have an ambulance dispatched to transport your friend to the Gainesville VA. This is a very common scenario at most VA hospitals since many Vets do not live in close proximity to a VA hospital. I have several patients who choose to live on Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket and have no other choice but to call 911 and be taken to the island hospitals if they are in need of emergent care.

Please share this info with your friend, and hopefully it will help him make a more informed decision in how to best access healthcare when he is acutely ill.