£24m boost for forces rehab centre

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Defence Secretary Des Browne confirmed the investment in future healthcare plans when he met patients during a visit to the unit near Leatherhead, Surrey.

The funding will go towards improvements including a new accommodation block, bigger prosthetic limb workshop and a permanent replacement to a temporary ward annex.

The investment over the next four years was announced in Parliament by Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth.

The facility currently cares for 180 military patients and in the last three years has increased the number of beds available for "complex trauma" patients from 18 to 66.

The Ministry of Defence will now spend £13 million on improving accommodation for patients and staff, some of whom have been living in a local Travelodge because of a lack of space.

It is in addition to the £4 million previously announced for a new 58-bed temporary accommodation block. The temporary ward annex, which currently resembles a large portable building, will be replaced with a permanent extension to the main building.

It will include an expanded prosthetics facility, treatment areas and imaging facilities.

In addition, the Help For Heroes charity, which was set up last year, is also hoping to raise £6 million to build a new swimming pool and gym. Injured troops currently have to use the local public swimming baths in Leatherhead for rehabilitation sessions.

Mr Browne said that Headley Court was a "very special place" with first-class facilities and care which were the envy of the world.