Sioux Falls, S.D. (KELO AM) A lot of controversy is looming within the Veterans Administration to the point of dismissing VA Secretary Eric Shinseki. The general focus is on the Phoenix VA Health Care System in Arizona, where wait times for patient appointments were improperly reported.
The care Veterans receive at the Sioux Falls VA Facility is not typical of what is going on at other facilities around the country. Veterans have been vocal about the level of care they receive at the Sioux Falls Veterans Hospital.
“Locally, we have a great staff of people dedicated to the care of Veterans,” said Darwin Goodspeed, Director, Sioux Falls Veterans Hospital. “We are also fortunate to have Veterans Organizations advocating us to area Vets making sure they are aware of the rights they deserve.”
“Our staff consists of 30-percent veterans to include myself,” said Goodspeed. “People are aware of the level of care they get at our facility.”
Goodspeed said, It is disheartening to to hear the stories at other facilities around the country, but we keep our chins up and deliver the best care we can provide. He encourages veterans to go to va.gov and fill out the application and enroll in VA or come into the facility and enroll there.
“Our goal is to take care of Veterans because this is a Veterans Hospital, said Goodspeed. I want veterans to feel comfortable to come here and I want veterans to use their hospital."
Darwin Goodspeed was a guest on the Greg Belfrage Show and the entire interview can be heard at: http://kelo.com/podcasts/greg-belfrage-show/935/sioux-falls-va-wants-area-vets-to-use-facility/