Ministry of Defence Pays NHS to Accelerate Treatment for Injured Servicemen

Strategic Insights -

The Ministry of Defence has been accused of paying the National Health Service (NHS) to accelerate treatment for injured servicemen, amidst growing criticism over the treatment of soldiers wounded on operations. According to Air Cdre Paul Evans, director of healthcare for the MoD, the wounded would now be seen within four weeks by a consultant and would have only a six-week wait for surgery, thanks to negotiated agreements with six NHS health trusts. The news comes after The Daily Telegraph's report that 5,000 personnel in the Armed Forces are failing to get priority treatment, leading to delays in them getting back to front-line duty.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Ministry of Defence has negotiated agreements with six NHS health trusts to speed up treatment for injured servicemen, ensuring that they are seen by a consultant within four weeks and have a six-week wait for surgery.
  • The agreements involve paying an "accelerated access fee" to the NHS, with the amount individually negotiated, but the exact figure not disclosed.
  • The development is part of efforts to address growing criticism from military chiefs and charities over the treatment of soldiers wounded on operations.
  • The move follows The Daily Telegraph's report that 5,000 personnel in the Armed Forces are failing to get priority treatment, leading to delays in them getting back to front-line duty.
  • The Ministry of Defence has also scrapped plans to build a £200 million military medical centre of excellence, citing costs, and is instead considering a cheaper alternative split over three sites 20 miles apart.
  • The centre would have brought together the headquarters of the military's medical training agencies, but was deemed too costly, and under current proposals, medical practices will be kept on two sites in Birmingham, with accommodation for doctors, nurses, and support staff moved to Whittington barracks in Lichfield.

Statistics:

  • 5,000 personnel in the Armed Forces are failing to get priority treatment, leading to delays in them getting back to front-line duty.
  • The Ministry of Defence has negotiated agreements with six NHS health trusts to speed up treatment for injured servicemen.
  • The wounded would now be seen within four weeks by a consultant and would have only a six-week wait for surgery.
  • £200 million was earmarked for the scrapped plans for a new centre of excellence.
  • The Ministry of Defence plans to keep medical practices on two sites in Birmingham and move accommodation for doctors, nurses, and support staff to Whittington barracks in Lichfield.

Sources:

  • "The Daily Telegraph"
  • Statement by Air Cdre Paul Evans, director of health care for the MoD.