VA Los Angeles Ambulatory Care Center

I am a 100% service connected disabled veteran. 2 years ago, my doctor retired. When he retired they cut off all of my Meds and now require that I Jump through the same hoops I jumped through years ago before my rating, in order to get my medication. I am Pissed, angry, and beside myself. I learned that I cannot seek another doctor because I am being seen by the inept replacement, that won’t bother to read my charts or medical history. You would hope that they would treat their veterans better. Disgusted !!!

At this Va it’s a very long wait time if you have an appointment don’t plan on being seen fast or on time. Your wait time will be about 30min-​1hour when you are called on you go in the back and they put you in another waiting room for another long wait. The staff here is ok and the facility is pretty clean and it isn’t that busy here I don’t understand why the wait time is so long.

I’ve been attending this facility since 2004 and, although it has made many improvements since then, I have always been pleased with the care that I have received. Dr. Cole, you are the best. I also enjoy the seniors for sobriety group. They have recently added a spiritual group that I just began attending.

I was going to a group, the teacher was not so nice, she made me feel worse when o went there, she don’t know how to talk to people, I went there because I needed help. And she turn me away. How can someone teaching a class and turn them away, I took the bus went out my way to get help and she made me feel like s***, I don’t know maybe she just did like me and she didn’t want me in her group. I had to find another group to go to. its bad that sometime us vets can’t get the help we need because of one person. I’m going to keep trying to get help I’m not going to let one person stop the show. I’m going to pray for her, and hope she don’t do that to anyone ease.

Long Wait Time that exceed the 7 — 14 day window to see a Medical Provider or Specialist!
It is has happened to me here in Los Angeles (just like it did in Phoenix). The main problem is they lack enough medical providers and, as a result, you will not be seen in a timely manner. Although, the staff is nice and professional (there are a few exceptions) no one here tells you that you can ‘use fee basis providers to help ensure that veterans are provided timely and accessible care’ — see this document for quote and information (
).
DHA needs an audit at this medical center just like the are doing with the WLA-​VA Center. But beyond an audit they need to talk to people on the ground who have no allegiance.
For me, I have waited more than 30 to 40 days to see a medical provider because they are all full. I FIRED my doctor again. As a result, I went without my medications for this period of time (stuff like High Blood Pressure and AntiAcids etc.) and went UNDERGROUND (using the web) to get my medications. If I had not done this, my health would have been at risk.
This story/​analysis is no hyperbole!
I have complained several times to management (medical director etc.) and the health care advocate, but neither does anything about it (maybe they are embedded with colleagues and friends). Yet another excuse by the directors is to wait (as long as it takes) in the event that someone cancels an appointment to be seen (yeah, right just go to urgent care its a lot easier if they can override your PCP). And when they do have an appointment available in like 30 days [or more] its like super early — 7 a.m. — when its more convenient to the PCP and not You!

I have been going to this clinic for the past seven years. Every time I walk through the door I am greeted by smiling faces. The care center is on the cutting edge of technology with regards to fine equipment and highly skilled staff. I have always felt as if the healthcare providers are current and knowledgeable about what is going on in local, state, national, and world events that might effect important health decisions.
With the creation of the patient aligned care team, I have also always felt as if I have continuity of care with a select team who know who I am and what I need.
If there were more stars to use to rate this place, I would have used them! :)

This va downtown la annoys me the security office are old And rude the police are nasty mean idk is it because I am a young women or I am a happy person and they hate to see veterans happy. I only come here for voc rehab every time when I come here my anxiety is up and so is my PTSD. This officer was so nasty to me for no reason I had nightmares for several days

A place that veterans can get help with many issues. If you need minor medical attention, you can come here. If you need to open a claim for VA purposes, you can do it here. Get there early for parking spot ir come after 1.

Compared to all the other VA facilities I’ve escorted my WWII Vet father to this one is by far the nicest. It’s smaller and much newer than the West LA or Long Beach locations. And, I’ve never seen it get nearly as crowded as other VA facilities. The staff at this location are always helpful when I visit with my 90 year old father.

This is actually pretty good VA care center. Located in the heart of L.A. (1 block away from little tokyo and less than half block from several Federal Building) What I usually do is just park there and get something to eat before or after the appointment, that save me money from parking in the street. Is also close to a freeway make it easy to commute. I prefer get their noon time because morning traffic is bad and is too many peoples.
Most of the staff are helpful just don’t gave them attitude, line can be long in the morning, walk in (like blood drawn) prefer go there after 11am, However schedule appointment is still quite slow, can take 1 to 2 months. However they do take walk it in most situation.
The building design is modern unlike West L.A. doesn’t felt overcrowded, This only a care center, checkup, medical exam, no actual surgery provided. No cafeteria inside so you has to walk a block away to get you food which I prefer anyway. Despite large amount of troop increase during the war, there were little or no expansion of VA facilities which is a shame.
Most of the doctor are from mediocre or school you don’t heard it before. They had a lot of student especially in the dentist dept.

I’d rate this place a 2 if it wasn’t free or maybe even a 1. Well, speaking from experience, my counselor never returns my calls nor reply to my e-​mails. Wish she was more organized, too.