HILL COUNTRY VETERANS COUNCIL
1700 Sidney Baker, Suite 100
Kerrville, Texas 78028
830.896.1157 -  Fax 830.896.1175
www.hcvc.org

DISCUSSION PAPER
For Meeting With
Mr. Jose R. Coronado & Staff

19 December, 2001

This meeting was requested as a follow up to a meeting on 1 November 2001 with Dr. Dan Bacon and Robin Gutierrez and other Kerrville staff members.

POSITIVE PR

  There are a lot of good things happening at the Kerrville and Audie Murphy VA Hospitals.  However, it seems we never hear about the great treatment and success stories from our Veterans – only the bad things.

As you know this subject was discussed on November 1st with Dan and Robin.    It seems all such activity should come from the Audie Murphy PA staff.  Therefore, HCVC would like to know how to play a part in or assist in making known the good that is happening.

HCVC LIAISON

During our last luncheon visit with the VA staff we discussed the issue of providing the HCVC some form of liaison with the VA staff to share ideas, issues, Veterans complaints, etc.  Mr. Shea surfaced the possibility of participation in some existing committee at the hospital to take up these issues. 

Dan and Robin are not aware of any existing committee that would meet the needs as presented by the HCVC.  Therefore, we would like to advance this discussion to determine if there is such a format that would give the council the opportunity to pass on and discuss important issues.

We were introduced to Ms. Connie Smith, Patient Representative, as one that could provide assistance when a patient is having a problem.  This contact has already proven to be helpful in one case.

LONG RANGE PLAN FOR KERRVILLE VA HOSPITAL

As the results of our meeting on 1 November we learned that the Kerrville VA does have somewhat of a Long Range Plan, perhaps two or three years out.  However, our discussion did not seem to address the issues the council has a direct interest in pursuing.  It seems, for a facility such a Kerrville, there should be a five, ten, twenty year Long Range Plan.  We know budget drives everything and budget should be based on the Long Range Plan. 

Therefore, we would like to discuss the Long Range Plan for Kerrville as it is seen by Audie Murphy, VISN 17, and VA Central at this time.  Issues that are important to the Council are:

  1. Is there funding for the implementation of the RUDY PROGRAM for the long range?
  2. Now that the plan is in place to make full use of the main hospital building, is there a plan to keep in occupied?
  3. The need for a great deal of improvements in the following services: a) Urology, b) Orthopedic,

c) Ophthalmology, d) Audiology.  The infrequent visits of Audie Murphy staff to support these clinics are placing a true hardship on our area Veterans.  In some cases where the doctor will only visit Kerrville one or two times a month, is just not right. There needs to be a plan in place to fix this problem. 

  1. Additional Doctors are needed to replace those that have left or retired and those that are getting ready to retire.  We know there was a hiring freeze for a while, but with the 2001-2002 budget there should be some relief from that policy.
  2. Additional Team Clinics – The waiting time in these clinics is just entirely too long.  We know this is a nation wide problem, but it still needs to be fixed.
  3. A Long Range Plan for all of the vacant buildings on the site needs to be developed?
  4. A Long Range Plan for the 76-acre property and how it can best be used?
  5. What impact will the recent CARE inspection have on the hospital?
  6. What is the Long Range Plan for the laundry?
  7. Several clinics in the surrounding area are being closed.  Is this part of the long-range plan?

HOW CAN WE HELP

Where is help needed – budget, political issues, administrative issues, political contacts, community, etc?  Where do you need support in order to solve some of the HCVC concerns and issues?

TO HCVC HOME PAGE

TO ARCHIVES