A fine tradition.........?

The Royal Navy is built on a foundation of proud tradition - the Medical Branch is no different.

It saddens me the number of ships and establishments that have been closed or decommissioned in recent years. Our Royal Navy is greatly diminished by the decisions of our politicians, and, I doubt if we could mount a successful expedition as we did during the Falklands War.

The picture shows three of the Royal Naval hospitals - Haslar, Stonehouse and Gibraltar. Steeped in history, these hospitals served civilians and servicemen and women alike. Unlike, many current civilian hospitals, they were medical facilities that were spotless and efficiently run.

I and many of my medical branch colleagues are saddened by the erosion of the Royal Naval Medical Service. The closure of these hospitals is just a stark example of this.

Stonehouse has long since closed, Haslar and Gibraltar are soon to follow suit. These hospitals, I served in all three, are a source of pride and many happy memories - they will be sadly missed.