Southern Arizona VA Hlth Care Review

Fantastic care today. Friendly staff and thorough examination. My next appointments were made before I left by the NP before I left the building. Many volunteers available to help with any of your needs and questions and the facility is nice and modern

I had great care for the first about three years at this hospital. BUT that is all long gone now that the Dr. retired.
Have sense had two Dr.'s who were removed/fired...
Three Dr.'s who have outright lied to my face this being about my care mind you.
One recently who decided to tell me that I been doing crap all wrong for years now yet it being her job to have helped me not do so an she has done nothing but sat on her butt gathering her 200k a year paycheck.
As it looks at the moment I have probably three different things of malpractice lined up which I really don't want to do. But as no one will deal with the issue and give me proper care I might be stuck with no choice at all but to do so.

Sad when Veterans have to get pushed into corners where they must spend each day deciding to hold on one more or just end it all. Very sad way to take care of "US".

It seems useless to review this place... there is no way i can beleive the "outstanding" reviews about this place... im utterly speechless about the experience me an my husband enured last night... we live in a small town 4 hours from this hospital after speaking to a triage nurse at our local small 5 person clinic he was told to RUSH to the Tucson hospital as his syptoms mau be life threatning
only to get there at 4pm and be seen by a doc at 1am in the 9 hours of our wait he was never checked on and the cleanliness of this place is pitifull not ONe person lifted a finger to clean the whole 9 hours we were there the bathroom floors were literally black with lovely drips of blood that was never cleaned up the entire time we were there there is no use in bashing this place which is not my intention nor will it make a difference i will spend my time researching and speaking to higher authority.

Came in with cold symptoms. Got seen almost immediately. Was diagnosed and given meds within 90 mins.

Used to be 6 month wait for routine appointments. Unfortunately a bunch of vets died for that to be fixed. They leave a lot to be desired and ask them how many vets they hire...

Haven't had any major problems yet. The wait can get a little ridiculous but it's free health care.

Apparently theres staff that goes around and steals workers and nurses lunches and nothing is getting done to fix that. Some staff thinking they can do whatever they want. Management needs to buckle down and fix this.

So far I have received no medical or other help at all. I can see the other reviews must be posted by employees. Although I have heard some good reports by other vets I also have heard they needed other medical services. Their word is that it was either not covered or the wait too long for the emergency. I have heard nurses talk about the Tucson VA doctors not wanting to see certain vets but Dr. Hays doesn't share their attitude. My thoughts are:
1) If you served to keep this people free, they ought to have regard for that.
2) if you can justify treating veterans the way you do, then you should be treated as the thing you are, a TRAITOR!
3) I think most, if not all, the military people serving other veterans like they do are the ones who ran for cover when the fighting started. you I call COWARDS.
4) TRAITORS AND COWARDS treat our veterans the way our VA does!
5) Your a FAILURE and DISGRACE people!

This VA is the worst I have dealt with. I had nothing but great experiences in NY and FL with the VA then I move here expecting it to be as good. It took me 6 months to get an appointment for an annual check up. The only way I was able to get one was by contacting patient advocate. The PCP is not at all helpful when I finally did see her she down played all of my injuries. Stay far away from the Tucson VA! I have had to start using Tricare because there is no help here.

Overall, great! Inexperience two "bad" doctors--from a patient AND a nurse (me)viewpoint. But other Providers were AWESOME. Dr O'Brien performed surgery on my knee (2nd surgery, different doc) and did a terrific job. Thanks to all medical staff in the VA system.

I probably would have been on Boot Hill many years ago had it not been for the care and surgical services I have received there since 2002. Most all the staff and especially the Doctors are top notch. There have been a few, naturally, that I clashed with but overall excellent.

Have tried to make appointments at the Iron wood clinic, and the schedulers and or front desk personnel are extremely rude. and condescending. If they hate their job that much, perhaps they should find a new job.

The VA may be free or low cost for our Veterans. Due to the ridiculous regulations, lack of accountability and overall lack of patient care, every Veteran who enters will pay dearly, with their life. Avoid at ALL COST.

My first VA emergency room visit. Nurses were great, doctors were awful. I see why veterans hate the VA. Without a doubt the worst experience I ve ever had with a medical facility. I ll die before I visit this place again, would not recommend.

This particular VA HOSPITAL needs to be investigated by some other investigative authorities...the VA cannot investigate the VA due to the problem that the reigning administration has with extreme bias and prejudice against VETERANS...they will (the DIRECTOR, his OFFICERS, and their ASSISTANTS)
protect their medical staff to the detriment of the VETERANS...their total lack of respect to VETERANS and any medical concerns they have trickle down
through the medical ranks--from a NEUROSURGEON down to a clerk in PATIENT TRAVEL...if the VETERANS "do not fall in line", they can be expected to be blamed, and if that does not work, they are ignored, hopefully, with the result of the VETERAN just giving up and disappearing...this is what the DIRECTOR and his STAFF hope to accomplish-- sweep the mess under the carpet and move on; unfortunately, the VETERAN is left alone and suffering due to lack of proper care. I sometimes wonder if this could be one reason why there is such a large ratio of VETERANS taking their lives...I have talked with soldiers returning from combat thinking the VA will be there to help them...what a rude awakening for them...I am just another sad story of a VETERAN trying to get justice within a "criminal element" that poses as a "VETERANS" medical health establishment
serving THEMSELVES at the risk of the physical, mental, and emotional health of so many VETERANS. Their answering machine ends with the statement that we served our country, now it is their turn to serve us--this, to many VETERANS, is a slap in the face...I have been trying for 8 YEARS to work with this MEDICAL staff and for the last 2 YEARS of these 8 YEARS, with the ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF...at least now I realize why I have been treated so shabbily by the MEDICAL STAFF...they are just mirroring the ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF'S attitude toward the VETERANS that are trying to get help...I feel, right now, that I have no MEDICAL CARE...I am, for right now, on my own...FYI--MALPRACTICE IS A CRIME; even within the VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HOSPITAL...and WE do not have to accept it as a routine daily event...

Love the VA hospital in Tucson. The culture of care there is better than any other military or civilian hospital I've been to, and I should know. I've been a critical care RN for 30 years.

Just moved here from Richmond. I was scheduled for an initial appointment with my provider, which she rescheduled and then cancelled, promised to reschedule me and has been avoiding me since. Hope i don't end up another statistic as this country throws more men and women into the meat grinder.

My appointments have always been prompt. I've always been treated first class, the rest of the country needs to models their operations after the VA in Tucson.

Got to be honest,VA has just turned into a bunch of health monitoring clinics,there's no longer any treatment. The volunteers are great,always nice and helpful,medical staff not so much esp. girl at desk in Bldg 57 at prosthetics desk,very rude. Tried the Choice program but seems like VA can't get that right either. If you have Access,Medicare,anything else,Don't go to the VA.

If u rate it get it.. if your messing with the system then go somewhere else cause u ruin it for the ones who truly deserve the treatment..

Thankful as a Veteran to have this valuable resource! Everyone here is respectful and most appreciative for our service. Thanks to all the great men and women that help meet our medical needs! I greatly appreciate your "in turn" service to our nations veterans.

My husband & I moved to Oro Valley AZ from NY about ten days ago. So far we are loving our new home, with the exception of the Tuscon VA hospital.

My husband proudly served his country for 15 years. He deserves to receive the best medical care there is.
He is,nor receiving that at the Tuscon VA.

When we arrived in AZ Bob began to experience severe back pain. We headed over to the Tuscon VA to enroll him fully expecting to be assigned a primary care physician and an emergency appointment within 24 hours. Instead we were told that there was a two month wait for an appointment and someone would call him to assign a physician.

We were given a number to call to speak to a nurse who might be able to get Bob into the pain management clinic. When she called all she said was go the the ER the doctor there can refer you to pain management.

The ER doctor did not want to be bothered (Dr. Windham) He did not perform an examination, all he did was prescribe pain pills & state it wasn't his job to treat or refer Bob to pain management.

We have spent several days on the phone trying to expedite an immediate appointment all we receive is the run around. To date Eric was supposed to call us,back in half an hour. That was 3 hours ago.

In the mean time Bob's pain gets worse & worse. He is taking pain pills, but who want a to live like that for 2-3 months while waiting to get an appointment.

I find it hard to believe that the primary doctor he will be assigned to can't make a courtesy referral to the pain management clinic. The fact that he has been receiving epidural in NY is in his records.

In addition to all this I don't even mention that Bob had thyroid cancer & has no thyroid. He will be out of meds,king before he receive a an appt.

Way to go Tuscon VA. Your the best. Not!

5 years ago I had hernia surgery, the doctors and staff was exceptional, friendly and very respectful. I am so happy I was able to go here rather than Phoenix.

I am very grateful for the superb healthcare I received from the Southern Arizona VA hospital in Tucson. They care about the veterans they serve because a high percentage of the employees are veterans themselves. "Thank you for your service" to everyone working at this hospital and clinics from one of your patients.

They take good care of the Vets. My husband goes to the Tucson VA.

I have been getting my medical care at the SAVAHCS for the past 7 years. I have, for the most part, good caring doctors and nurses. On occasion I have run into a doctor who was unable to "hear" me just as I once ran into a doctor who deliberately disregarded the pain I said he was causing me. My favorite primary doctor left because he could not stand all the computer work. My current primary doctor is someplace between ok and good enough. I must add that I have been treated respectfully most all of the time and the care I have received (while not always what I wanted) usually took care of the issue.

Place has the worst staff I have ever seen at a VA facility. It's a pretty campus but that doesn't matter to the quality of ones healthcare.

Wonderful on-time appointments. Extremely efficient. I'm impressed.

Very unorganized with keeping to schedules and appointments. As well as transferring prescriptions within the clinic. It is always an all day process. For as important these people they are serving, who have honorably served for an entire country and sacrificed so much for, they are truly incompetent! If the staff doesn't feel the need to have common courtesy or respect for the people they are there to help, they have absolutely no business being there! Resources aren't readily available or mentioned unless we research ourselves! Including and not limited to services, and procedures that may help in finding what is necessary to diagnose illnesses or injuries. And if someone is reaching out for help, with red flags posted, beeping and screaming, no ones concerns are met! Only stating the obvious. Some doctors included in this ridiculous place, have absolutely no real concern when a patient mentions ailments. They receive a very vague response of " uh huh, OK, and anything else?" Like they are taking orders in a drive thru and are still going to get everything wrong or forgotten, no matter how many notes they take! It's despicable and disheartening. This place need some serious reviews and re-training on all staff on compassion, empathy, customer service and bedside manner immediately!

The treatment a Vet receives here is the best possible. Very Very professional and respectful .

Dr. Chada of Ironwood clinic was replaced with a Dr. Goldman who is a friendly, and funny guy.... He is a different kind of doctor who makes a Dr. appointment enjoyable.... I think his way of doctoring should be practiced by all Dr.s at Tucson VA !!! The long lines, and long waits at Tucson VA are caused by underfunding however, doctors like Dr. Goldman make those long waits tolerable!!!

Attention to detail and staff are very friendly, knowledgeable, thorough and take their time to attend to all your needs. A++ all the way

The Tucson VA Hospital is by far the best hospital facility with the best care I've ever experienced, and I've got lots of experience with hospitals.

If the VA assigns you to Linda Granath run. She is the worst Dr I have ever seen in the military health care system. She is a wash out from the civilian side, I guess now she is protected from law suits. Never served a day in the military. As a matter of fact I think she enjoys making us military suffer.
I left the VA because of her and feel much better off. Sure I have copays now. But, I get treated by real Doctors and my health is worth it!

All VA hospitals are really great..some times they are under staffed and over burdened with work from our war causing problems.. The one in Louisville,ky saved my life yrs ago and here in Yuma, I found the same efforts to help as kind as possible..Been to Tucson .just fine..kind and courteous...Just remember as we get older we forget that in service terms..HURRY UP AND WAIT.. n o r m a l
As far as meds..I use ...MyHealtheVet...my meds are sent as I need.. All my details of the VA are easy for me to know about...if prescriptions are showing renewal I know and can remedy it. Thank you all.

Neen here for 3 hours now and my hisband been waiting to long its not even that busy

I have never had any issues at the VA. One of the largest VA hospitals with extensive specialist. Everyone's medical concerns are different. The staff and doctors have always been helpful towards me and my care. For a veteran myself i really can't complain. Every system could use some improvements yes, but with improvements comes funding and staffing. I recommend for veterans.

Great service at ortho today. Overall, I've had fantastic care from the SAVAHCS. Thank you!

Thank you to the Doctors, Nurses and medical staff in ICU for saving my wife's life. I'm truly thankful.

Best Hospital and Veterans Services.. High standards..

We would like to offer our deepest thanks to all of the Staff, Nurses, and Doctors of the VA hospital. Your staff provided care for our father Robert Chambers Jr.
The kindness and the respect your staff gave our father is something we will always be grateful. After hearing the horrible stories about the VA Hospital not taking care of retired veterans, we were prepared for the worst. But we were so wrong!

Help came from all different directions. Help came from the Angels Vet s speeding around on rotor scooters giving us directions keeping us from getting lost. Help came from the wheelchair staff realizing my father was incontinent & needed to be changed so your staff help us first. Help came from the staff that measured him for a wheelchair they realize my Dad could not stand so they use the machine to lift him up. Help came from that little road runner Volunteer who pushed him around hospital, my sister and I had to run behind her to keep up, Help came from the blood work staff they moved fast, in addition help came from the patient advocate staff who recognize some mistakes were made on his DD 214 who told us where to go.

We offer our heartfelt thanks to the staff @ the VA hospital in Tucson AZ

This hospital has its pros and cons like any other but I've found it to be a safe and hospitable place for veterans. I wouldn't hesitate recommending it to any Vet.

Went to emergency ,and waited a couple of hours to be seen by a doctor. After that I had to be admitted. By that time it was about four hours later. Overall the service was great! Thanks to the doctors, and nurses!

The Saguaro Clinic consistently displays how much they truly care for veterans. Couldn't ask for better treatment. Willing to work with you in the most expedient manner that meets your needs.

This place in one of the most tranquil, beautiful places I've seen in Tucson. The trolley system is a godsend. The way that every person helps no matter what astounds me. It's a great place to go if you're a veteran of any branch. Just a wonderful place to spend a day.

Waiting times were almost non existent.

The most absolute cleanest place in the city.

They love to be indignant and unhelpful. It's incredible, and it's a disgrace to the VA and insulting to veterans. I would love to go into detail, but I prefer to keep my medical situation private. I have had decent service here in the past, but treating veterans badly, and going out of your way to be unhelpful, and passive aggressively rude is unacceptable.

If you take one step onto this facility, you take 2 steps backwards in your life. Understaffed, over paid, pill pushers that will pass you around to every clinic without addressing your health issue. You'll leave confused and stressed while holding a big bag of pills you don't need. You'll be a guaranteed repeat customer and dollar sign for how ever long you live.

No hospital is perfect which is why I only gave 4 stars. Being a veteran myself and having been to several other VA Hospitals, this is by far the best I've been to. The campus is well maintained and beautiful. Employees are friendly and proficient. Excellence in care is shown by actions as well as words.

I'm a veteran...get my treatments here..great staff great hospital..

They are very professional and take good care of us Veterans. This is from the 6th Avenue Gate.

9 hours to get seen at the e.r. to get treated like a joke by some asshat doc

This is one of the largest and most funded VA hospitals in America. No, seriously... Look it up. The land that this hospital sits on has been owned by the goverment since the world wars.

The parking lot is huge and confusing. The building numbers are equally as cluttered and senseless. Make sure to use the maps they have placed around the grounds to help find your way.

I have traveled here and used many parts of this hospital in the recent past. The doctors and nurses are extremely professional. I have had absolutely no issue with seeking prompt and reliable medical care here. Yes they are understaffed, but that's what happens when the government pumps more future patients through a war.

Im not a member but love to come here with my best guy ever. I like to look around at the displays and talk to people who are proud to have served our country.

I am a retired combat vet and 100% SCD. I have been seeing these doctors for the last eight years, and while there are some who give the VA a bad name, this VAMC has bent over backwards to help take care of me and provide for all of my medical needs.
I have been hospitalized there several times over the last five years, with the latest episode being a few months ago when I contracted Valley Fever.
The doctors are amazing people who give forth their all when it comes to healthcare. The nursing staff for the most are kind and caring with even the vast majority being soft spoken.
The services that I have with the Tucson VAMC range from Cardiology to Respiratory all the way down to the Prosthetics Department and I can't speak highly enough for the hospital as a whole considering I had been to some of the worst VA Hospitals in the United States.

I would like to offer my deepest thanks to the Agave Clinic and PACT 2 for their unending kindness and care in dealing with my health and for reaching out to Tri-West who is part of the Veterans Choice Program encompassing care within the community.

This hospital, along with their staff and Medical Teams have treated me by far the best as human being and a Veteran instead of being a number or as a bother to their time/efforts.

They always have my best interest at heart. I feel very fortunate that there are caring people working there.

Great among other veterans hospitals within top 5 overall. The main reason that I stayed in Tucson since 1997 until now.

SAVACS is an excellent medical facility staffed with caring, competent Doctors and nurses and staff. It is one of the best VA medical centers in the U S!
It is amazing to me that there are some Veterans who complain and find fault. Any system can always be improved but on balance SAVACS is a wonderful facility!
I suppose there are some who would complain if they were hung with a brand new rope!!!!!

Impossible to work with, and you can't understand anything anyone says.

This place has been very good to me. They literally saved my life.

If they edit their tactics and show improvements overtime, as will my review.

I m still fairly new to this VA after transferring from being with another for the past 10 years, so the system isn t new to me. They were well aware I was traveling a lot in 2020, as I mentioned it numerous times to many departments so they were aware to not send letters. I drove 18 hours to an appointment that was set up for 6 months. I arrive. They cancelled it without calling me, said they sent a letter. Now they re refusing to assist me with lodging. This is just 1 situation out of 4 others I have that are nearly equally frustrating. This VA is supposed to be the better one in the state. With AZ track record of VA blacklists in the past, you d think they d try harder to work for those who fought for their freedoms. Please get your act together and be more competent. If you do, so will our faith in you, to care for us, as we did for you during our service.

Had a friend go there with a medical emergency. Needed to bring him things because he was being admitted. The nurse in emergency who helped me was very pleasant and helpful.