Suicidal veteran: Phoenix VA denied me care because I had no appointment
By KTAR.com
Originally published: Aug 13, 2014
PHOENIX -- A suicidal veteran claimed he was denied care at a Phoenix Veterans Affairs facility Wednesday because he did not have an appointment.
The veteran, an acquaintance of Rob and Karie co-host Rob Hunter who wishes to remain anonymous, said he told a nurse at the VA he "was not feeling well" and "did not trust himself" when asking for care. The nurse allegedly informed him that appointments were required and a mental health professional would contact him.
Dr. Sam Foote, one of the whistle blowers who gave life to the VA scandal investigation, said the veteran's status with the VA could have played a small part.
"If you have an established provider, they can usually grease the wheels for you," he told News/Talk 92.3 KTAR's Rob and Karie.
However, his status aside, Foote said the administration is prepared to handle suicidal veterans at all times.
"I don't know who turned him away or said we'd call him back later," he said. "That's not normally we like to handle something like that. Normally you want them to have them triaged by somebody who's a professional in mental health and those people are certainly available at the downtown medical center."
The veteran also claimed he contacted the VA earlier this week to request an appointment. He informed them he had Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after serving in Iraq, but was told he must be diagnosed at a Phoenix VA facility. Given no other option, he walked into the VA where he was turned away, a potentially dangerous scenario.
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