Veterans Service Center (VSC)
The Veterans Service Center is located in Buffalo on the first floor, E-Wing. The VSC provides onestop service for veterans who need to update their insurance, home address, financial information, means-testing etc. If you have a question about inpatient or outpatient co-payment billing, the VSC will help answer your questions. Benefits counseling is available. The Patient Representative and the TRICARE Coordinator can be reached through the VSC.
At Batavia, the VSC is located on the 1st floor, building #1.
To reach the VSC, call toll free 1-888-823-9656.
Pharmacy Services
Inpatient Pharmacy. Pharmacy service is part of your health care team. It is available to all hospitalized patients. Pharmacists are available to provide medication counseling to you, your doctor, and hospital staff. Pharmacists will provide medication information such as dosage and possible side effects or make suggestions for different drugs to best treat your condition. They are available to review your medications with you before you are discharged from the hospital. Tell your health care team if you need to speak with a pharmacist.
Outpatient Pharmacy. The outpatient pharmacy service is only available to veteran patients with prescriptions written by VA doctors. TRICARE Health Plan patients must use a TRICARE pharmacy. The VA is not a TRICARE pharmacy.
Buffalo
First floor: E-Wing (near the Emergency Department)
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Sunday and government holidays: only for emergency situations.
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Batavia
Ground floor in Building #1
Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday and government holidays: 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. only for emergency situations.
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Mail refills are highly encouraged. You can order refills by:
- Calling (716) 862-7933, 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
- Auto refill by calling (716) 862-6581 anytime, or toll-free 1-800-532-8387, seven days a week. You will need to have your social security number and prescription number ready.
- Mailing the prescription renewal form to the VA Western New York Healthcare System, 3495 Bailey Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14215. Prescription will be mailed back to you.
- Drop your refill requests in the pharmacy mailbox any time you are in the hospital.
- Order online through My HealtheVet at www.myhealth.va.gov. You must be a registered user to utilize this service.
You may check on the status of any prescription or refill by dialing the automated number (716) 862-6581. Your health care provider will decide how many times you can refill a prescription. Medications are not automatically refilled. Plan ahead and request your refill early so you do not run out.
Pastoral Care and Services
VA Chaplains provide religious care to all patients and their families. The service includes Catholic, Jewish and Protestant chaplains. The chaplain motivates through religious guidance and counseling, meaningful use of the patient’s beliefs attitudes in the management of his/her illness. Patient care takes a holistic approach, which includes support for the seriously ill, pre-surgery patients, the dying patient and family, as well as bereavement counseling.
Chaplains visit the ward regularly and are available for private consultation.
Patients can ask for written materials from the chaplain to assist them during their stay at the Medical Center. The chapel is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., all day Saturday, and after 10:00 a.m. on Sunday.
The chaplains’ offices in Buffalo are located on the third floor, A-Wing. The chapel is located on the third floor, D-Wing, room 324D. For chaplain information or to request a visit:
Chaplain Protestant
Catholic
Jewish
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Room 305A extension 8653
Room 305A2 extension 8654
Room 305A2 extension 8653
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A Musallah Room is available 24 hours/day in room 321A. A prayer rug and Qu’ran are available in the Musallah Room.
In Batavia, the chapel is located on the first floor, building #2, across from the library. The chaplain’s office is located in building #1, first floor, room 113 or by calling ext. 7238.
Voluntary Service
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) program includes individuals and community groups who voluntarily give their time and resources to benefit veterans in the inpatient and outpatient areas.
You’ll know the voluntary staff by the gold jackets and gold badges that they wear. VAVS volunteers visit the wards daily. They assist with transportation to tests, shopping, letter writing, and other personal services. In special circumstances, VAVS will provide toiletries and comfort items to patients in need. The goal of the VAVS is to provide these and other services to you to make your hospital stay more comfortable. In Buffalo, call (716) 862-8672 to request a visit, book cart or other items. In Batavia, call (585) 297-1196.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, call the above number in your area for more information.
DAV Transportation
The DAV Volunteer Transportation Network provides transportation for veterans to VA appointments. You must be a veteran to use the service. Pick-up time is 7:30 a.m. for appointments between 8:30 a.m. and noon. No transportation is available for afternoon appointments. A two-week notification is requested for this volunteer service. Without prior notice, drivers and/or vehicles may not be available.
The DAV Volunteer Transportation Network at Buffalo is located at the outpatient care entrance. The phone number is (716) 862-6544. Report back to the travel desk as soon as your medical appointment is complete and your prescriptions are filled. You must call ahead to schedule a pick-up. For return trip arrangements use extension 6544. In Batavia, call (585) 297-1170 or go to building #1, first floor. For more information contact our DAV Volunteer Hospital Service Coordinator.
Food Court
The Buffalo Food Court is located in the basement. It is open Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Saturday, 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., and closed on Sundays and holidays. Inpatients are asked not to visit the Food Court weekdays between 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
In Batavia, the Food Court is located on the ground floor, building #1. It is open 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and closed Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
The Food Court offers a variety of hot and cold items.
Retail Store
The Retail Store in Buffalo offers a wide variety of services and merchandise. It is open Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Saturday 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. The Retail Store is closed on Sundays and holidays. It is located in the basement, right of the elevator core area.
At Batavia, the store is located in building #1 on the ground floor. It is open 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and closed on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
Automatic Teller Machines (ATM)
In Buffalo, an automatic teller machine is located in the front lobby (Bailey Avenue entrance). Batavia does not have an ATM.
Barber Service
The barbershop in Buffalo is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. The barbershop is located in the basement, A-Wing. The barbershop can be reached by calling extension 5516.
At Batavia, the barbershop is located in building #1, on the ground floor. It is open Tuesday through Friday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. or by calling (585) 297-1000 ext. 72912. Barber- Mike Deni.
Canteen Books
Canteen books are available for patients to use during their hospital stay. They can be purchased in the Retail Store and used at the food court, Retail Store and for barber services. Patients and families are encouraged to purchase these books instead of keeping money at the bedside. Should an inpatient require extra financial assistance, the Voluntary Service Office can be contacted in Buffalo at (716) 862-8677 or in Batavia at (585) 297-1197.
Newspapers
Newspapers can be purchased in the Buffalo Food Court and Retail Store.
In Batavia, newspapers can be purchased from the machines located by the patio entrance, building #4.
Newspapers are also available in the library at each facility.
Vending Machines
Vending machines are available 24 hours a day. In Buffalo, machines are in the basement, first floor E-Wing lobby, fourth floor core and the sixth floor between A and D Wings. In Batavia, vending machines are located in building #1, ground floor. Change machines are also available in the vending areas.
Shuttle Services
Shuttle services are available for veteran patients. The shuttle operates Monday through Friday between Buffalo, Batavia and Rochester. The schedule is posted in the outpatient area. Complete a request form for this service.
Patient Education Skills Center – Buffalo
The Skills Center is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. It is also open Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. It is located on the third floor, A-Wing, room 309A. The phone number is (716) 862-8645. The Center has two New York State certified teachers who can help you with reading, writing, math, and language skills. You can prepare for your high school equivalency exam, get help with college work, learn how to type, work on the computer, or surf the internet. If you need help with a resume or practicing your interviewing skills, come to the Basic Skills Center. All work is individualized.
Closed Circuit Television (CCTV). CCTV is available to all clinics and at each bedside at Buffalo and Batavia. In addition to regular TV programming, a movie channel is available to you 24 hours a day.
On-Demand Television Health Information Programming
See health information videos by “dialing” them up at your bedside or in your primary care waiting area at the Buffalo VA. This video information is available by tuning your television to channels 25 through 30 and dialing 5018 on your phone. If you need assistance, ask a member of your health care team. In Batavia, tune your TV to channel 15 or 16 and dial **777.
Health Touch Kiosks Health Touch is an interactive education center. It provides current information on medications, disease topics, lifestyle issues, wellness, and nutrition. The system features a unique, interactive, touch system that is easy-to-use. Information is available in English and Spanish. In Buffalo, Health Touch is located outpatient pharmacy area.
Patient Education Resource Center. The Buffalo Patient Education Resource Center (PERC) is open 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is located on fourth floor core. The entire center is devoted to patient health education and general resources. You can read/consult health reference books and materials, view videos about your health and wellness concerns, get written information to take home with you, and use the computers to access the world wide web. The PERC is staffed by volunteers from “Us Too of Western New York,” prostate cancer information and support group.
In Batavia, there is a patient library located in building #1, first floor by calling ext. 7306.
Roll ‘n Scroll
Check the TV screens located throughout the Buffalo and Batavia sites for information concerning special veteran events and other services.
Absentee Voting
Veterans who are registered voters and expect to be hospitalized for an extended time can request the social worker's assistance to contact your County's Board of Elections for an application for an absentee ballot. The procedure must be completed a few weeks prior to Election Day.
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD)
VA Western New York Healthcare System is equipped with Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf. There is one TDD telephone, number (716) 862-8985. In Buffalo, it is located at the main switchboard office on the first floor.
In Batavia, there is a TDD pay phone available in building #1 ground floor, outpatient area near the pharmacy window. Additional devices are located in rooms 114 and 115.
Interpreter Services
Interpreter services for deaf and speech-impaired veterans can be arranged through your health care team.
Guide Dogs and Service Dogs
Guide dogs and service dogs are raised and trained to assist the blind and physically disabled. Individuals depend on these dogs for security and confidence. If you have a working dog and require its assistance during your stay, please contact the nurse manager who will discuss your request with the Visual Impairment Services Team and make appropriate arrangements.
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