Substandard conditions found at the main US army medical centre in Washington were not an isolated incident, a key congressman has said.
Substandard conditions found at the main US army medical centre in Washington were not an isolated incident, a key congressman has said.
The problems extends "beyond the walls" of the Walter Reed medical centre, said John Tierney as his congressional panel held its first hearing into the case.
The problems extends "beyond the walls" of the Walter Reed medical centre, said John Tierney as his congressional panel held its first hearing into the case.
There have been reports of soldiers living in rat-infested buildings.
There have been reports of soldiers living in rat-infested buildings.
The scandal has already led to the resignation of the civilian head of the army and top generals.
The scandal has already led to the resignation of the civilian head of the army and top generals.
Mr Tierney, a Democrat, chairs the national security panel of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which held began its hearings on Monday.
Mr Tierney, a Democrat, chairs the national security panel of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which held began its hearings on Monday.
"There appears to be a pattern developing here... First deny then try to cover up, then designate a fall guy. In this case I've concerns that the army is literally trying to whitewash over the problems," he said.
"There appears to be a pattern developing here... First deny then try to cover up, then designate a fall guy. In this case I've concerns that the army is literally trying to whitewash over the problems," he said.
It wasn't fit for anybody to live in a room like that John ShannonFormer patient The hearing also heard from veterans who had stayed at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
It wasn't fit for anybody to live in a room like that John ShannonFormer patient The hearing also heard from veterans who had stayed at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
One, John Shannon, told the committee that there was black mould in the rooms.
One, John Shannon, told the committee that there was black mould in the rooms.
"It wasn't fit for anybody to live in a room like that," he said.
"It wasn't fit for anybody to live in a room like that," he said.
Annette McLeod, the wide of a former patient, told the committee staff at the hospital had given her husband "zero percent".
Annette McLeod, the wife of a former patient, told the committee staff at the hospital had given her husband "zero percent".
"You need to fix the system," she said. "If you're good enough to go, you're good enough to be taken care of when you leave here."
"You need to fix the system," she said. "If you're good enough to go, you're good enough to be taken care of when you leave here."
At the weekend President Bush said he was "deeply troubled" by the reports of poor living conditions at the centre - where soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan were treated.
At the weekend President Bush said he was "deeply troubled" by the reports of poor living conditions at the centre - where soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan were treated.
Articles in the Washington Post newspaper said patients lived in rat-infested rooms and complained of bureaucracy.
Articles in the Washington Post newspaper said patients lived in rat-infested rooms and complained of bureaucracy.
Army Secretary Francis Harvey and the head of medical centre, Maj Gen George Weightman, have resigned over the allegations.
Army Secretary Francis Harvey and the head of medical centre, Maj Gen George Weightman, have resigned over the allegations.
Have you been treated at the Walter Reed hospital? Send us your experiences using the form below.
Have you been treated at the Walter Reed hospital? Send us your experiences using the form below.
