Brookings VA Clinic

"I get how politicians shredded health care all too well over the last 10+ years (most recently with Covid). While waiting 2 1/2 hours to have blood drawn today I heard many Veterans talk about how long of waits we've had at the clinics (all of them not just this one). This isn't a direct reflection on this clinic. But after that long wait to have blood drawn the person who did it said things were not going well today. This was not their normal position at the clinic and they wanted to know if I was a "easy" stick. The only time I've ever seen them have a problem was when I was 20 (long ago) and it wasn't a problem with my vein, that person was just new (and got my blood everywhere). I also deal with PTSD and Chronic pain, which was not made better by the long wait. Combine it all with that I was stuck and this time watched for around 60 seconds as the person kept moving the needle in my arm to try and get "flow" I had to call it off. I tried to be a good sport about it but new I would write this review. This is where we are at with health care all too often, this is what we get when we let politicians have so much influence in our health care system. Xray's that should have been done 6 months ago left undone, seeing a skin doctor 6 months later, this is where we are at....overworked skilled practitioners who end up needing a day off filled by people who probably shouldn't even be filling those roles. Not really wanting to knock the person who stepped in, its the system, I get it. But we set ourselves up for this. I remember 15 years ago getting excellent health care.. Back when I had private insurance and Doctors office's commented on how good of coverage I had (and I saw how good of care I got)."

"If I could rate this clinic without the star it would be more appropriate. The incompetence is beyond belief and I don't understand how most of the employees could even get a job at Walmart let alone the VA. Four months straight they can't even get my refills on time or nurse Terri blames the Dr. Or herself for not doing their job that I believe they receive a paycheck. Not only do I have to suffer physical pain but also the mental stress of having to deal with so called professionals that truly don't care about the veterans or faked a deploma and were somehow hired. Our level of care has consistently gotten worse. Dr. Carport was awesome and now she left."

"This is for dr. Ruben and nurse Nancy which saved my life in the past nurse Linda has failed me a few times I believe she needs to retire but five stars for dr. Ruben and nurse Nancy dr. Ruben and nurse Nancy have a very beautiful bedside manner I am proud for them to be my medical providers"

"I’ve had better care falling out of the shower and the dog coming to see if I was ok. Nurse Linda Weatherford has failed me multiple times. She is the opposite of a patient advocate."