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2ND DRAFT
years.
33. Of the Report's many recommendations, some have been accepted
and implemented without delay but others are essentially long-term
and, even if accepted in principle, cannot be implemented for some
Further recommendations are more in the nature of general
guidance than specific proposals. In the Report, the recommendations
were grouped under main headings, such as Doctors, Dentists, Nurses,
Hospitals, or Training Establishments. They are being studied under
these headings within the Ministry of Defence and reports on each
group of recommendations
some interim, some final - have been
received by the Defence Medical Services Co-ordinating Committee.
Two-thirds of the recommendations have now been accepted; in a few
cases the acceptance has had to be qualified. A small number of
recommendations have not been accepted; and work is still proceeding
on the remainder.
34.
The most difficult recommendations are those concerning hospitals.
As the Report had recommended, the future use of the new Army
hospital at Woolwich was immediately reviewed. This review confirmed
the need for the hospital, and construction is continuing. The
Ministry of Defence has accepted that there is no longer any Service
need for the hospital at Cosford, and negotiations are in train for
the Royal Air Force to continue running the hospital for the National
Health Service. It is agreed that the hospital at Colchester can be
closed, though this will not be possible until either the National
Health Service or another Service hospital can provide cover for the
Servicemen and their families in this area. In both cases, account
must be taken of the needs of the National Health Service for
assistance from both these hospitals to augment the National Health
Service hospital service.
The Ministry of Defence accept the
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