House subcommittee holds hearing on strengthening VA law enforcement safety

The House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations May 16 held a hearing on ways to further support and protect law enforcement and others within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Testifying were Kirkpatrick “Kapua” Conley, regional president, central region, of Sentara CarePlex Hospital in Hampton, Va., along with members of the VA police force and other private sector representatives. 

"From my perspective, security is both a feeling and a reality," Conley said. "And they are not the same. Making our employees and patients feel safe is just as important as keeping them safe... We know that health care workers are five times more likely to experience violence compared to those in any other private profession." 

American Organization for Nursing Leadership CEO Robyn Begley, AHA’s chief nursing officer and senior vice president of workforce, testified last year before the House VA subcommittees on Oversight & Investigations and Health on workforce issues, including workplace safety.