James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital

National VA officials are commending staff in the area for keeping patients safe during the storms. Now the focus is on rescheduling the thousands of appointments that had to be cancelled.

Though the VA says there isn't a hiring freeze, federal data shows the agency has been dealing with "severe shortages" of nurses for years. Nurses in Tampa say they're feeling the strain.

The clinic shares space with a MacDill Air Force Base health center, part of a growing partnership between the military and the VA.

Pharmacists in the government employees union say the vote of no confidence is a "last resort" after previous attempts to resolve staffing issues with leadership.

Tampa doctors advised a delegation from Ukraine about how to rehabilitate people wounded during the country's ongoing war with Russia. Ukrainian medical specialists say they expect some soldiers and civilians will need lifelong support.

Knowing not all veterans addicted to drugs are ready to quit, VA doctors are offering clean supplies, mental health care and other services to reduce some of the risks that come with injection drug use.

The center in Temple Terrace will serve as a one-stop-shop for veterans experiencing mental and behavioral health issues. The VA is also starting to build a health clinic in Lakeland.

The new Lakeland clinic could help reduce wait times and how far veterans in Polk County have to travel for care.

The secretary was in Tampa visiting with health workers and veterans. He says he has a duty to protect VA patients from the powerful delta variant. That's why he's mandating staff get vaccinated against COVID-19.

The hospital is offering the vaccine at its main facility and several outpatient clinics. Veterans aged 75 and older as well as some outside that age group can now sign up.

Local VA facilities could expand in-person services to offer more routine care if downward trends in coronavirus cases continue, says Secretary Wilkie, but they have to be cautious to protect vulnerable patients.

The VA has eliminated the designated smoking areas at its hospitals, clinics, and other buildings. Many are celebrating the ban for creating a healthier…