VA physician Dr. Sarah Kemble, Chief of Medicine for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for the central and western Massachusetts region revealed on her deathbed that the medical care for veterans at the Northampton Medical Center is substandard, especially regarding psychiatric care. Dr. Kemble wrote a 23-page affidavit revealing the inside information give days before she died of cancer in December. The VA’s Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection has is now investigating.
The Northampton Medical Center advertises itself as a 24-7 urgent care hospital but, according to the affidavit, this is not true and in addition, there are no lab service, radiology, clinical pharmacist or appropriate psychiatric service available during nights or weekends.
Dr. Kemble also told investigators she was transferred and demoted when she tried to reveal and remedy the problems.
