Tomah [WI] VA Medical Center halting psychiatric services

TOMAH (AP) -- The troubled Tomah Veterans Administration Medical Center says it will make several changes to address staffing shortages.

The VA announced Wednesday that the hospital's 11-bed inpatient psychiatric unit had stopped admitting new patients and will temporarily close next week. VA spokesman Matthew Gowan said the two patients who are currently in the unit likely will be discharged before the Sept. 4 closure.

The La Crosse Tribune reports that any local veteran requiring psychiatric treatment will be transferred to VA facilities in Madison and Milwaukee, or to non-VA hospitals.

Tomah VA Medical Center also plans to suspend psychiatric admissions to its residential long-term care facility until additional staff are hired. Gowan says the nursing home will continue admitting veterans with non-psychiatric needs.

http://www.wkow.com/story/29892702/2015/08/27/tomah-va-medical-center-halting-psychiatric-services