WASHINGTON, March 20 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army has launched a new hotline to serve wounded U.S. soldiers and their families.
In response to recent criticism about medical care available to U.S. veterans, the Army announced that the "Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline" will provide information and assistance with medical and other concerns beginning Monday
The hotline will also be a resource for Army officials to help improve the services they offer, Army officials said in a statement on Sunday.
"We have designed this call center to be able to collectively hear what the soldiers say about their health care issues, so as issues are raised, we can identify systemic faults or problematic areas and senior leaders can better allocate resources," said Maj. Gen. Sean J. Byrne, Commanding General, U.S. Army Human Resources Command.
In the statement announcing the launch of the hotline, Army officials acknowledged that many soldiers wounded in the war on terror and their families are "enduring hardships in navigating through our medical care system."
In reference to the recent maelstrom surrounding the care of veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the press release stated that "the Army needs to revise how it meets the needs of our wounded and injured soldiers and their families. In certain cases, the soldiers' chain of command could have done a better job in helping to resolve medically related issues."
The "Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline," available at 1-800-984-8523, will operate Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. but will be expanded to eventually provide assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
