Veterans Affairs to expand, improve services in San Diego

The newly-named secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced several moves Monday meant to improve service to veterans seeking care from the VA system in San Diego.

The moves were announced during a visit by VA Secretary Robert McDonald to the VA hospital in La Jolla and a VA homeless project in Old Town.

“VA is working to restore the trust of veterans, stakeholders and the American public,” said McDonald, a West Point graduate and former executive of Procter & Gamble.

McDonald announced that:

+ The VA is adding an additional 217,000 square feet to the hospital in La Jolla and an additional 75,000 square feet to leased space at community clinics. Together the hospital and 16 leased sites currently occupy 1.3 million square feet.

+ The VA is allocating an additional $11.3 million to San Diego to “accelerate access to care.”

+ Clinic hours are being expanded for nights and weekends for primary, care, specialty care and mental health services.

+ Operating hours for gastrointestinal procedures are being expanded to allow for night and weekend use for elective procedures.

+ Clinic schedules will be redesigned for specialties such as mental health, physical therapy and rheumatology to help veterans receive care faster.

+ Recruiting efforts are being redoubled.

With an annual operating budget of $662 million and 2,798 full-time employees, the VA system in San Diego is designed to serve the estimated 225,000 veterans in San Diego and Imperial counties.

San Diego County has the largest number of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans of any county in the nation, according to VA officials.

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