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Visitor Information & Services
Important Notice - Weapons
For your safety, and the safety of others, no weapons of any kind are permitted on the premises. Persons entering buildings on the Medical Center grounds consent to the inspection of all packages, luggage, and containers in their possession. Refusal of consent to the inspection is a basis for denial of admission or entry onto VA property.
Information Desks
Information desks are located in the Main Lobby and in the Emergency Room entrances of the hospital. Volunteers are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M to help you with information about the Medical Center.
Chaplain Service
The Chapel and Chaplain's Office are located on the second floor, Rooms A-219 and A-221, and chaplains of different faiths are available. A Chaplain is always on hand to speak with you or your family in the Chaplain’s Office or, for inpatients, at bedside. After 4:30 P.M. and on weekends and holidays, a Chaplain is on call for crisis or emergency needs.
Lost and Found
The Lost and Found Office is located at the Security Office at the Emergency Room’s entrance. You are responsible for your belongings while at the Medical Center.
Telephones
Pay telephones are available throughout the Medical Center. Please do not use cellular phones as they can interfere with electrical medical equipment.
ATM Machine
An ATM machine is located on the second floor. From the main elevator, turn left and then make an immediate right. The machine is on the left, just before the two service elevators.
Barber shop
The Barber/Beauty Shop is located on the ground floor, Room GD-036a, next to the Credit Union area. It is presently open Monday through Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. It is closed on holidays. Service on inpatient units is available by appointment.
Canteen services
The Canteen Service's Retail Store, Food Court, and PAPA's Best Pizza Shop are located on the 2nd floor. The hours of operation are as follows:
Retail Store: Monday – Friday, 8:00 - 4:00pm, Saturday 9:00 - 3:30pm
Food Court: Monday – Friday, 6:30 - 4:00pm
Papa's Pizza: Monday–Friday, 10:30-7:00pm, Saturday, 9:00-2:00pm
The Vending Rooms are located next to the elevator lobby on the Ground Floor and in the 2nd floor Food Court back dining room area. There is also a change-making machine for your convenience. A stamp machine is also located outside the ground floor vending room.
Fire/Disaster Drills
The Medical Center has practice fire and disaster drills. If you hear the fire bells, stay calm and follow the instructions given to you by the staff in your area.
Bus Service From the Dillard’s Parking Garage
Bus service to the hospital from the Dillard’s parking garage and back is provided. During peak times in early morning and late afternoon, three buses run continuously. From 9:45 am to 1:15 pm, one bus runs continuously from the hospital every 15 minutes. The bus picks up employees, veterans and visitors to the hospital at clearly marked stops on the ground floor of the parking garage, and delivers them to the covered bus stop outside the Emergency Room entrance.
Public Transportation
Public transportation in the Tampa Bay area is provided by Hillborough Area Regional Transit (HART). The VA Hospital has one stop on it's campus and is also adjacent to the University Area Transfer Center (UATC). You can find routes and complete information at HART's website (links to a non-VA website).
Social Services
Illness sometimes results in personal and family problems. You and your family members may worry about the health care you will need and its impact on your daily lives. Social workers are available to assist you and your family in taking care of these problems. Your Team Clerk (for outpatients) or Unit Coordinator (for inpatients) will arrange for you to see a social worker, if you so desire. We want to help you make full use of the benefits and community resources that will assist you and your family during the recovery process.
Veterans’ Benefits Services
The Division of Veterans’ Benefits and Assistance has an office at the hospital, in Building 19. Counselors are available to assist you with VA benefits such as government life insurance, home loans, education, vocational rehabilitation, and both service-connected and nonservice-connected benefits. Inpatients may ask their unit staff to call for them. Several Veterans Claims Examiners from the Florida Department of Veteran’s Affairs are available to help you with all VA and State of Florida benefits.
Health Information for Veterans and Families
There are many ways for you and your family members to become more informed and take an active role in your health care. We want you and your family to know about your health and how to best take care of yourself. A variety of programs, materials, and activities are available. Your primary care provider may recommend materials or programs for you. Continuing programs are held on diabetes, cardiac care, weight management, stroke, oncology, smoking cessation, specialized support groups, and other health matters. Tell your primary care team if you want to sign up.
Your primary care team may also arrange for other special materials (models, videos, pamphlets, etc.) for you and your family to look at or they might ask you to visit the Patients’ Library, Room A237 (on the second floor of the main hospital). It is open from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday.
The Patients’ Library is open to all veterans, their families, and the community. It has health information in books, computer programs, additional videos, and Internet resources related to health care. Popular books and magazines, daily newspapers, large print books and reading aids (such as magnifying glasses) are also available.
Interpreters
Interpreters for language and the hearing impaired are available. Let your primary care team know if you need their services.
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