In the wake of the Department of Veterans Affairs audit revealing widespread and lengthly delays in care for the nation’s veterans, Acting Veterans Affairs Secretary Sloan D. Gibson has directed all VA medical center and health care system directors to conduct monthly reviews – in-person – of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) scheduling practices.

These reviews are to take place for every clinic within directors’ jurisdictions, and will include site inspections to observe daily scheduling processes. Directors are to meet with VHA scheduling staff to ensure all policies are being followed to deliver timely care to veterans, according to a VA news release.

“Veterans must trust their health care system, and these reviews are an important step towards restoring integrity in all our scheduling activities.”

“Our top priority is getting veterans off of wait lists and into clinics,” Gibson said. “We need our folks in the facilities to work directly with staff, answer all questions, and ensure our veterans receive the timely care they have earned.

“Veterans must trust their health care system,” he continued, “and these reviews are an important step towards restoring integrity in all our scheduling activities.”

In addition to monthly reviews of more than 900 VHA facilities nationwide, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) directors are required to conduct similar visits to at least one medical center within their area of responsibility every 30 days, and visit all medical centers in their network every 90 days, officials said.