Bay Pines VA Healthcare System
UPDATE: Bay Pines Expands Closure of all Outpatient Services through September 12 Due to Irma
September 10, 2017
BAY PINES, FL – The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System (VAHCS) emergency management officials continue to monitor Hurricane Irma as it continues its general path toward South Florida.
The C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center’s outpatient services will be suspended through Tuesday, September 12, 2017. The Lee County Healthcare Center and all Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), to include clinics located in Bradenton, Naples, Palm Harbor, Port Charlotte, Sarasota, Sebring and St. Petersburg, will be closed Saturday, September 9 – Tuesday, September 12.
All clinics and services impacted by closures are expected to be reopened or restored by Wednesday, September 13, 2017 unless communicated otherwise.
A summary of other preparedness actions completed by the Bay Pines VAHCS ahead of Hurricane Irma are provided below. Updates by day can also be viewed at: www.baypines.va.gov/pressreleases/summary.asp
- September 10, 2017 Update – Emergency Department at C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center closed until further notice.
- September 9, 2017 Update - Approximately 100 medical, surgical and psychiatry patients currently admitted for care at the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center were transferred to the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital in Tampa, Orlando VA Medical Center, Lake City VA Medical Center and Malcom Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville.
- September 8, 2017 – Bay Pines VAHCS places C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center on divert status and announces closure of all outpatient services.
Veterans impacted by closures will be contacted by VA staff to reschedule their appointments as soon as possible. In the event of a medical and mental health emergency, Veterans are encouraged to dial 911 or visit the closest emergency room. Please note that the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System is not a designated hurricane shelter. This includes the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center and all satellite clinics. To view a list of designated hurricane shelters by county, please visit: www.floridadisaster.org/shelters.
In addition, VA has activated the Pharmacy Disaster Relief Plan through Heritage Health. Eligible patients with Veterans Health Identification (VHIC) in need of an emergency supply of medications can go to any retail pharmacy open to the public with a written prescription or active VA prescription bottle, not older than 6 months and with refills available, to receive a 10-day supply. This does not include controlled substances.
If a VA patient is displaced, has lost medications, or no longer has a written prescription or bottle, he or she can contact the Heritage Health Customer Care Line at 1-866-265-0124, option 1. Heritage operating hours during Hurricane Irma are Monday thru Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST.
Veterans, their beneficiaries and caregivers may also contact the VA’s Health Resource Center Disaster Hotline at 1-800-507-4571, regarding VA health benefits, eligibility, billing and pharmacy-related inquiries, during the storm period.
For updated information about clinic closures and other important announcements, please call 727-398-9500 or visit: www.baypines.va.gov. You can also receive updated information by liking us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/VAbaypines or following us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/vabaypines.
Visit www.ready.gov to learn about disaster preparedness kits, family emergency plans, and more. Florida State Hurricane information can be found at www.floridadisaster.org.
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