Naval Hospital first choice for veterans

Photo By Jason Bortz | Navy Lt. Jo Ann Martinez, licensed clinical social worker, Naval Hospital Pensacola, is one of two social workers assigned to NHP. The role of Naval Social Workers has grown over the years from combating operational stress to helping patients establish healthy behaviors such as weight loss, tobacco cessation and sleep hygiene.  

PENSACOLA, FL, UNITED STATES

02.07.2013

Story by Jason Bortz 

NMRTC Pensacola

NAVAL HOSPITAL PENSACOLA, Fla. – Veterans in the Pensacola region are now being encouraged to use Naval Hospital Pensacola for emergencies and inpatient care. Utilizing these services can not only reduce fee costs for patients, but will allow veterans to receive care in the local area.

According to Dennis Stoops, business sharing coordinator, Naval Hospital Pensacola, there were approximately 1,300 emergency visits by veterans in Escambia County to other hospitals. Veterans enrolled with the VA Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System's Joint Ambulatory Care Center will now be encouraged to use the emergency room at Naval Hospital Pensacola.

To receive emergency room services at Naval Hospital Pensacola, veterans need to be eligible and enrolled for VA health care. There are some services that the hospital’s Emergency Room cannot perform such as cardiac, neurosurgery and psychiatric emergencies. If a patient is not able to reach another hospital for these emergencies, the Naval Hospital can assist patients and transfer them as needed.

The VA Clinic will also begin referring patients to the Naval Hospital for inpatient care. Previously, patients were referred to Biloxi, Miss., which required significant travel for patients and their families in the local area. Veterans will now be able to receive excellent medical services in the local Pensacola area without the hardship of traveling out of state.

"I'm extremely delighted to partner with the Naval Hospital to bring these vital emergency room and inpatient services closer to where veterans live in the Pensacola area," said Anthony Dawson, VA Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System director. "Both VA and the Navy are committed to providing the best care anywhere to our Nation’s heroes, and this partnership serves as another example of giving back to the individuals who have sacrificed so much for our country."

The ability for veterans to use the Naval Hospital is not a new agreement between the local VA Clinic and the hospital, but encouraging veterans to use the hospital will benefit everyone. Veterans will have an award winning medical facility for inpatient and emergency care; the VA will have the trust and confidence that the veterans it serves are receiving top-notch medical care; and the Naval Hospital will have the pleasure of caring for those who have served our great Nation.

"This is an opportunity for the local VA and Naval Hospital Pensacola to mutually support and improve access and quality of healthcare for the large population of veterans residing in the Pensacola area," said Capt. Maureen Padden, commanding officer, Naval Hospital Pensacola. "We have a one team, one fight commitment to care for our veterans here with the VA and the needs of our patients and their families should come first."

For additional information or questions, please contact the VA Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System's Joint Ambulatory Care Center at 850-912-2000 or Naval Hospital Pensacola at 850-505-6601.

• Date Taken: 02.07.2013
• Date Posted: 02.07.2013 09:55
• Story ID: 101614
• Location: PENSACOLA, FL, US