US veterans agency lost thousands of ‘core’ medical staff under Trump, records show

Departures are exacerbating existing shortages and creating very unsafe' conditions for patients, veterans and health workers say

The Department of Veterans Affairs has lost thousands of healthcare professionals deemed core" to the system's ability to function and without which mission-critical work cannot be completed", agency records show.

The number of medical staff on hand to treat veterans has fallen every month since Donald Trump took office. The VA has experienced a net loss of 2,000 registered nurses since the start of this fiscal year, the data show, along with approximately 1,300 medical assistants, 1,100 nursing assistants and licensed practical nurses, 800 doctors, 500 social workers and 150 psychologists.