Watchdog: Veterans wait average of 115 days for appointment at Phoenix VA hospital

(AP) The Department of Veterans Affairs' internal watchdog says veterans at the Phoenix VA hospital waited on average 115 days for their first medical appointment.



That's 91 days, on average, longer than the hospital had reported.



An interim report by the inspector general says investigators have "substantiated serious conditions" at the hospital, including 1,700 veterans who were waiting for an medical care but were not on an official waiting list.



The inspector general is investigating 26 VA facilities nationwide, including the Phoenix hospital. The review follows allegations that several veterans died while awaiting treatment and that secret waiting lists were created to hide delays in care.



A report Wednesday says 84 percent of veterans at Phoenix waited more than the agency target of 14 days for an appointment.