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US military hospital boss removed | US military hospital boss removed |
(about 14 hours later) | |
The head of the US army's flagship hospital has been fired, amid a scandal over the treatment of wounded soldiers. | |
Maj-Gen George Weightman, of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC, was told that army chiefs "had lost trust and confidence in his abilities". | Maj-Gen George Weightman, of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC, was told that army chiefs "had lost trust and confidence in his abilities". |
It follows highly critical reports in the US media about the care of troops wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. | It follows highly critical reports in the US media about the care of troops wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. |
Last week, the Washington Post reported some of the wounded lived in buildings infested with rodents and cockroaches. | |
The newspaper said others had to wait for months to get their disability pay. | |
'Accountability' | 'Accountability' |
In a brief statement, the army said senior service leaders had lost trust and confidence in Gen Weightman's leadership abilities "to address needed solutions for soldier outpatient care". | In a brief statement, the army said senior service leaders had lost trust and confidence in Gen Weightman's leadership abilities "to address needed solutions for soldier outpatient care". |
In the interim, Gen Weightman will be replaced by Lt Gen Kevin Kiley, the commander of US Medical Command, according to a US military spokesman. | In the interim, Gen Weightman will be replaced by Lt Gen Kevin Kiley, the commander of US Medical Command, according to a US military spokesman. |
Disciplinary action was also taken against several lower-level soldiers at Walter Reed hospital last week, but officials have declined to publicly confirm any details. | Disciplinary action was also taken against several lower-level soldiers at Walter Reed hospital last week, but officials have declined to publicly confirm any details. |
After a visit to the hospital facility last Friday, Defence Secretary Robert Gates said those found to be responsible for the problems at Walter Reed would be "held accountable". | After a visit to the hospital facility last Friday, Defence Secretary Robert Gates said those found to be responsible for the problems at Walter Reed would be "held accountable". |
"A bedrock principle of our military system is that we empower commanders with the responsibility, authority and resources necessary to carry out their mission. | "A bedrock principle of our military system is that we empower commanders with the responsibility, authority and resources necessary to carry out their mission. |
"With responsibility comes accountability," Mr Gates said. | "With responsibility comes accountability," Mr Gates said. |
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