VA EAGLES NEST COMMUNITY LIVING CENTER UPDATE

Forwarding on Behalf of Ann Brown, Medical Center Director, Atlanta VAHCS

 

Good Morning Everyone – I’m writing today to provide an update regarding the Eagles’ Nest Community Living Center here at the Atlanta VA Health Care System.

 

At the beginning of this pandemic, we made the difficult decision to move the Eagles' Nest CLC residents to other nearby facilities in areas experiencing less of a surge of COVID-19 cases for their safety. As a result, no Atlanta VA CLC residents that were moved currently have the virus.  We thank the other VA Southeast Network facilities for continuing to provide high-quality healthcare during the pandemic that our residents are accustomed to receiving.  It has since been determined that the building is no longer suitable for residential patient care.

 

VISN 7 and the Atlanta VA Health Care System leadership are taking decisive action to take care of Veterans' needs in Georgia now and into the future. The Atlanta VA Health Care System is developing a comprehensive plan to expand the long-term care services in the metro-Atlanta area to ensure greater access within the local community for the Veterans we are entrusted to serve.

 

Each Veteran's family are being contacted  right now to ensure they are informed of the short and long-term plans for their loved one's care. We will continue to provide opportunities for the Veterans to virtually connect with their family and loved ones during their time at the other CLCs within our region.

 

We know this is not going to be easy for our Veterans and their families. However, while the decision to not relocate the residents back to Eagle’s Nest was difficult, I firmly believe it is the right one.  Our Veterans deserve the best, and we are committed to ensuring our Veterans and their families are provided world-class care safely and in a high-quality facility without delay.

 

My staff and I are committed to providing updates to our Veterans and their families as we have them and as we can share. We will keep you and your staff informed as well as our long-term plans are finalized.

 

Thank you, and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

 

I hope each of you and your families have a wonderful holiday season!

 

Ann

 

EDITORS COMMENTS:

 

THE SECTIONS ON BOLD ARE WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE THE POINTS OF INTEREST. 

The VA has experienced some problems at Eagles Nest and is good to see that they are trying to do something to fix it, 

I'm glad none of the residents were infected with COVID and that they are receiving quality care.

My questions are how did Eagles Nest  become unfit and why it took a pandemic to decide on that status. If it is unfit for residential use, does that make it unfit for a homeless shelter? For overflow in-patient service?

 

I would hope that the VA has a plan in the works to re-establish this facility into a top notch operation. If the problem is funding, lets get an increase in the budget to take care of veterans. We deserve it and the 22 Vets who commit suicide every day deserve a chance to live.

I have always received top notch care in the VA Medical system and have terrific Doctors who take pride in their work and take satisfaction in helping rather than monetary rewards.