Army to change way it treats injured soldiers

A “steady drumbeat of casualties” from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan has led to the British Army carrying out fundamental reforms in the way it treated injured soldiers.

Reversing a previous policy of dismissing the wounded from the ranks, the Ministry of Defence today unveiled a £70 million project to aid troops to either remain in the forces or make a transition to civilian life.

Around 1,500 soldiers from the Army’s total strength of 102,000 are now unfit to take part in operations due to injuries and illness. In the past they would have had to leave the force, a situation described by Major General Andrew Gregory, the head of personnel, today as “ Something not credible, not realistic, and not taking note of the needs and aspirations of those affected.”

The Army Recovery Capability (ARC) is being funded with £20 million each from the military charities, Royal British Legion, and Help for Heroes, and a further £30 million from the Government.

Launching the programme, General Sir David Richards, the head of the Army, said “I confidently expect that no soldier who thinks it is in his interest to stay will be forced out. "It is about the doing the right thing for the people and the right thing for the Army.

“The Army has changed its views with the deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan and the steady drumbeat of casualties. There will be people who will want to stay on and will have something to contribute and others who will want to go on to try something new in civilian life.”

Under the scheme, due to start in four months time, injured soldiers will get individual attention, receive support from one of 12 "personnel recovery units" around the UK, led by a commanding officer, which will provide a structured programme aimed at either getting them fit to return to a military post or preparing them for life outside the Armed Forces.

The first of the centres was opened as a pilot in Edinburgh in August 2009 and a second is expected to be based in Colchester, Essex, with further centres set for other garrison towns. About 500 severely injured troops could be immediately involved when the scheme gets under way.

Those who leave the Army will be monitored and supported with their health, education, employment and accommodation. Soldiers wounded in Afghanistan will continue to be treated at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham and receive rehabilitation therapy at Headley Court, Surrey.

Figures obtained by the Conservative Party last month suggested 5,000 soldiers, or 20 per cent of the infantry, were unable to fight on the frontline because of illness, injury, lack of fitness or other non-medical reasons. shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said he welcomed the Government's commitment to rehabilitation centres, but regretted the delay in getting them going.

General Richards added: "The ARC is designed to enable the swiftest return to duty, or the smoothest transition to an appropriately skilled and supported civilian life, for wounded, injured, or long-term sick soldiers, irrespective of cause. This is a positive step forward that will allow commanding officers to focus on operations, confident that the needs of their wounded, sick and injured soldiers are being met. “

Veterans minister Kevan Jones said: "The Army Recovery Capability will deliver further improvements to the Army's support for its wounded, sick and injured people by bringing together a range of services into a single programme. It will either return individuals to duty or take them to a point where it is right to be discharged - however long that takes."