It took me over six/seven months to get this initial visit after applying for my benefits. I have had good feed back from those I know who go there. My wife says the people at work have only given her good positive comments about this particular clinic. Looks like I lucked up with the VA service where I live. Even the people across the street at the hospital were nothing but very kind and helpful. No long waits and in and out in a hurry.
I have been at a couple of Doctors offices here where there are 30 or so people waiting to see a doctor and a visit takes hours and hours!
Those doctors could be double booking. Docs have to see a certain number of patients to keep their doors open. If they have a lot of no-shows and/or cancellations and reschedules, then they sometimes double book whatever that percentage is.
It could also indicate a shortage of doctors for the amount of people in the practice. It shows up in the wait times both in booking and in the waiting rooms.
Problem is when more people actually show up than usual. Sometimes, though it’s just a few patients that take up some extra time and puts them behind. We try to keep our center’s wait time to 15 minutes or less.
When we get to the point where our wait time for appointments is 3 weeks, we try to hire another practioner, but finding General Practioner or Family practice docs is getting harder and harder.
Anyway - glad that you have a good place to go for your VA benefits. It’s the least that the nation should be doing. I am so thankful for you and all the other veterans. It really upsets me to hear about the crap that has been going on.
Hope you get all better. I’ll be saying a prayer for you.