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In Wake of Reed Scandal, Local Medical Center Holds Open House

Officials at San Diego's Navy Medical Center near Balboa Park say the problems uncovered at Walter Reed Army Hospital are not an issue here. They held an open house for the media today to prove their

In Wake of Reed Scandal, Local Medical Center Holds Open House

Officials at San Diego's Navy Medical Center near Balboa Park say the problems uncovered at Walter Reed Army Hospital are not an issue here. They held an open house for the media today to prove their point. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

The Navy began ramping up the facilities at the Balboa Naval Hospital last year, as the demand for rehabilitation care increased. More than 200 patients have come through the new facilities in the last 12 months -- most with serious injuries that will take months or years to rehabilitate. Rear Admiral Christine Hunter says patients are sent to Balboa Hospital if they have family living on the west coast.

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Hunter : It's our goal every day to be reliable and responsive, to listen to our patients needs, to learn, and to grow our services so we can provide the best possible healing environment for these individuals who have sacrificed so much.

The Navy has spent $6 million on its comprehensive Combat Casualty Care program, know as C5. The facilities include 63 rooms, for patients who get intensive physical therapy every day. Alison St John, KPBS news.