New Walter Reed project sparks concerns

New Walter Reed project sparks concerns
By Kelly Kennedy - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Dec 3, 2009 11:54:26 EST

Everyone agrees that the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center won’t meet Congress’ definition of a “world-class facility” by its scheduled completion in September 2011.

But military officials say a finished campus will be a good starting point for working toward a world-class facility.

Or, as military planners put it: “Development of a world-class medical facility is not a destination, but rather a journey of continuous improvement.”

An independent board that was asked to review the military’s progress said that’s the wrong place to start: If the Pentagon does not immediately make needed changes, it will waste money and time and disrupt care to wounded service members when the facility is inevitably renovated later.

Lawmakers at a Dec. 2 hearing seemed to agree.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/12/military_walterreed_congress_120309w/