VA Connecticut Healthcare System - West Haven, Connecticut

Gary N.

If you are Veteran, don't go to the VA. Don't let the prospect of "Free" Healthcare sway you. The Doctors here are Students at Yale. Their incompetence & lack of moral compass will cause your demise. Will they care? Of course not. To them, you are nothing more than a Lab Rat. A Guinea Pig for them to show off to their Medical Cohorts. Their Motto: "How can we appear to give the Maximum amount of care by spending the absolutely least amount of Money?" Also, let's not forget to mention: Say your Parent is an elderly Veteran, the Doctors & Counselors here will manipulate your other Parent (their Spouse) into believing they're helping. Listen to everything they say. Their wording is important, because they like to sneak things in. Record everything if you can. And above all else: Ventilators Kill. Don't believe anything different.

Bjorn T. F. H. (. Z.

I have been receiving health care from this facility for over 20 years. Prior to COVID this was a pinnacle VA hospital. Used to be prompt care. Now you deal with things like constant rescheduling for surgeries that they have put off for the last 5 years. Getting ahold of certain departments is almost impossible. I have on multiple occasions in the last few years had to call the patient advocates office for them to address issues. This used to never be a problem. I know certain folks are doing everything they can to help us but damn if it doesn't seem like they do it with one hand tied behind their backs. I'm hoping we can get back to the West Haven VA I knew. Of course with the incoming admin who knows what will happen.

Shannon

The quality of care has gone downhill fast. Unfortunately it's my only healthcare. It would be nice if they would remember to give discharge papers and then sent home with good old ibuprofen that of course does nothing and not having a fallowup plan. But don't worry, they'll eventually give an MRI to diagnose the issue a few months later when everything that is the absolute cheapest has been exhausted as a last resort.

Colby O.

Very rarely have I had a good experience with a doctor here. I don’t know who everyone has been getting to see but I got cancelled on 4 times 2 days before each appointment to reestablish primary care last year because I was never notified mine left. My therapist Dr. Zito stopped scheduling appointments, fell off the planet and I heard nothing but “he doesn’t work here” from the office. I was recently there at the ER after being bitten by some sort of bug and it turned in to cellulitis very quickly. My dad who has been in orthotics and prosthetics for 30 yrs diagnosed that right away. The doctor in the ER took forever and then I was tossed around by poison control and the CDC with the dumbest questions ever. After that I was tossed to an intern and resident who were both just the worst. I hate this hospital. I can never talk to an adult attending it’s always these kids who don’t know their ass from their elbow and say stupid things. Mine gave me a timeline window of life expectancy… like for real?

The M.

I do not usually go to the West Haven VA so my experience is only with specialty health care, but I have only had good experiences at this facility and the staff has always been very nice. It is somewhat of a big facility and navigating can be a little difficult so getting specific directions on where to go before showing up is extremely helpful.

Gary M.

The care my elderly father received here was truly unmatched from All the doctors to the nurses. Very caring, attentive and thorough. I can’t say enough about this place. Beyond grateful for everything- Thank you all - you are appreciated 🙏🙌💕!!!

E D.

Worst VA operators. Y’all are mainly working with veterans. So stop with disrespect when we call. I don’t know who monitors their calls, but management needs to do a better job with the hiring process. Putting in Consults at x3328, you are the rudest person I have spoken to so far at this VA. These operators don’t even let you finish speaking before they transfer you to the wrong place. And when you call back, all of a sudden no one answers the phone anymore. This is especially for the Mental Health Clinic. Horrible service! One star only because I had to put a one.

Update 2024– No change.

Surgeons are nice. On call nurses not so much.
Better off going to the ER than to speak to them.
Phone system is horrible. Get it fixed.

Airman M.

As a 100% totally and permanently disabled veteran, I praise the VA system for the care I have received over the years. I find the VA system to be heads above the private medical sector. All specialty care units and staff, have always treated me the with utmost respect.