Local

VA center director talks about new plan

ATLANTA — Just a few hours into her new job, the Atlanta VA medical center's director laid out her plans to get the troubled hospital back on track.

Leslie Wiggins is now officially in charge, just one month after a Channel 2 Action News investigation first exposed major patient care and safety problems. The investigation uncovered federal reports that blamed mismanagement for three patient death and miles of red tape for others.

Read the report: Patient Care Issues| Mismanagement of Inpatient Care

Wiggins said Monday she's still going through the reports and said it's still too soon to say whether anyone will lose their jobs. She admits the expectations for her are high.

"I recognize the scrutiny and the weight that the world is putting on me, but I'm most concerned about what the veterans expect of me.  I'll be spending my time making sure this environment is safe and secure and the veterans can count on me to do that," Wiggins said.

Some of the scrutiny comes from members of Congress, who are demanding changes and haven't ruled out holding hearings.

Wiggins also promised whatever changes she makes will be done transparently.