VA Central California Health Care System - Fresno, California

Josh O.

I used to feel supported by the Fresno VA Medical Center. For nearly two decades, I received solid care and respectful treatment. But something has changed in the last couple of years—especially since COVID. What was once a dependable system has become a chaotic, unresponsive mess that’s actively putting veterans at risk.

I’ve been dealing with a physical issue that is worsening and could be serious. I requested an in-person appointment because it clearly requires physical examination—not something that can be done over the phone. Despite this, I was scheduled for a telephone appointment, and when the time came, I never received a call. Instead, I was marked as a missed appointment, which was completely inaccurate.

I rescheduled, hoping it was just a one-off mistake. It happened again. No call, no evaluation, and again I had to follow up just to be told someone would call me back. Eventually, a staff member called just to inform me that the provider was out of office, something that could’ve been communicated beforehand.

On the third try, I was finally scheduled for an in-person visit. I arrived at the VA building, checked in, and literally as I entered the facility, I got a phone call telling me my appointment was canceled because the assigned provider “doesn’t see patients from my primary care team.” Moments later, I got another call saying the provider was actually “out of office.” These two explanations directly contradicted each other—and neither was acceptable.

The result? Months of delays while my condition worsens, no continuity of care, no sense of urgency, and no accountability. I have never felt so disregarded or unsafe in the VA system, and I’ve now decided to seek care through private insurance. This isn't just about inconvenience—it’s about health consequences due to consistent failure on the VA's part.

If this turns out to be a serious or terminal condition, it will have been allowed to grow unchecked while I waited through a string of botched appointments and contradictory excuses. That’s unacceptable.

Veterans deserve more. We deserve a system that works, that communicates, and that follows through.

Tim

I visited the ER on 4/19 due to a concerning health issue. Dr. Pettigrew, her team of nurses, and the transporter were very professional, caring, and compassionate. I felt well taken care of. Thank you so much to the ER team.

Vanessa L.

My coworker and I were bringing a patient to the VA, a kind nurse by the name of Lashell with beautiful locs and tattoos voluntarily helped us with our patient who was being pushed in a walker. She kindly got a wheelchair for our patient and led us to the front entrance to safely get to the emergency department. Shout out to her for her selfless dedication to serving the community. I should mention, she had just gotten off work, but did not hesitate to help. Again, thank you Lashell! Hope I spelled your name correctly.

FamBam

I have had good experiences with the staff and health care services at the Fresno VA. I only wish that the dental services provided were more comprehensive. In the three years I’ve been to the VA dental clinic, I’ve only received “teeth cleanings” although my X-rays depict that I need more in-depth dental work. My veteran brother has had fillings, bridges, dentures and more elaborate work performed at the VA Palo Alto within a very reasonable time frame (I understand they’re a much bigger facility). As a veteran I am extremely honored to receive health care benefits and am proud to have served my country. I also find the monthly Veteran Townhall meetings with the VA administration an asset to our healthcare needs.

Cameron T.

Do you like to get bent over with no lube? Take a trip to your local VA! Where youll wait 7 hours for your medication to be filled and another 3-6 weeks for life saving care! Dont worry. Your appointment with only get cancelled or rescheduled two to three times before you actually see someone!

Karen C.

My husband, in the past had gotten good care there. But lately they make appointments then cancel them. Without proper notice. I work full time and have to use pto time. To take him to his appointments. To have them cancel om me.

Linda

The Hospital is pretty good in general but for God's sake, do something about the Parking. It's absolutely ridiculous to have to drive around for Half an hour just to get a parking spot. I drove through those parking lots over and over again. Even in the parking lot that says patients only, the employees are parking in there, I saw them in their scrubs with all their stuff and wearing their employee badges coming into and out of the patient parking. It's a DAMN shame that disabled and sick people are being treated like this while the employees take up almost all of the parking stalls.

Joie M.

Just gotta be honest here, most of the staff at this specific VA hospital are rude, looks like they hate their job, does not know what they're doing, lazy, no common sense nor critical thinking skills, incompetent, etc. How could they give a medication solution to a patient without syringes or anything to draw the meds and inject it with? That's just one example of how they think. Simply put, don't know how they were hired when there are a lot of applicants out there who are deserving of the job that these people have. Too bad, the VA hires bad and disrespectful employees. Some of the front desk workers at this specific VA are just there to work and socialize when they have no idea what is going on with the hospital. These same employees are very loud too talking about personal things which is very unprofessional. The way they respond to an upset patient is ridiculous when it is their fault. When the patient asks them something, they do not even direct the patient to the right person who can help. It is about time that the VA hires employees based on their attitude and not just their "impressive" resumes that most of the words listed in that resume are bunch of lies 😅 This same VA tells their patients to get their fasting labs done before the primary care doctor's appointment only to be told by the labs personnel that there's no lab ordered for them when the veterans get to the labs. No communication between patient care team at all. This VA needs to do staff cleaning which getting rid of employees who do not perform HCAPS, lack customer service skills, and no Healthcare skills. It's time to hire healthcare professionals through their work and professionalism. It's very sad that many veterans say the VA is bad. No peeps, the VA is NOT bad. It's their employees who have no skills and lack compassion because of their mentality that veterans are already getting healthcare for free when these same employees don't even know how hard most of the veterans worked in the service just to be treated nasty. If you file a complaint about an employee or anything here, brace yourself because nothing is really done about it which makes sense that their employees are confident that they'll always have a job here. They dont do anything to your complaints because there are only a few who file a complaint. They need to have more complaints for them to take action, so be sure to file your compIaint to their patient advocate to fix this problem. I can only hope that this ugly and nasty VA will close down.