Press Release

                                                         Department Of Veterans Affairs
                                                      SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA VETERANS
                                                    HEALTH CARE SYSTEM NEWS RELEASE
                                                            -FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-
                                                                  #20080831001 

                            SLVHCS Clinics Close in Response to Hurricane Gustav

NEW ORLEANS, LA - The Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System (SLVHCS), which consists of six community outpatient based clinics, continues to prepare for Hurricane Gustav to make landfall in Louisiana.

All clinics are closed for the weekend through Monday, September 1, 2008 for the Labor Day federal holiday. The New Orleans, Slidell, Houma, St. John, Hammond and the Mandeville Dental Clinic will remain closed on September 2, 2008 due to Hurricane Gustav.

All appointments for the Baton Rouge Clinic have been cancelled for Tuesday, September 2, 2008. Currently, the Baton Rouge Clinic will be open for Urgent Medical needs only. All veterans are advised that if they have a life-threatening emergency to immediately call 911 and report to the nearest emergency room.

All veterans and SLVHCS employees are encouraged to follow evacuation orders given by local city and parish governments.

Please remember that Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System’s buildings cannot serve as a shelter and parking will not be available at any of our locations. Patients will be able to access information through a toll-free patient information number 1-800-507-4571 or internet http://www.neworleans.va.gov/.

All VA employees are required to check in with their status, location, and contact information by calling 1-866-233-0152. Operators are available 24 hours a day, for three days following the storm. Employees should call as soon as they have contact information available. ###

                       FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                          Robert Goza, Chief of Public Affairs
                          robert.goza@va.gov