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Sharp rise in troop injuries in Afghanistan
25 Aug 2009Numbers of British troops wounded in Afghanistan and requiring treatment at home are rising steeply, according to new figures.
In the whole of 2008, 254 patients with Afghanistan battle injuries were treated at either the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM) at Selly Oak in Birmingham or the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) at Headley Court in Surrey.
From January 1 to July 31 this year, there were already 299 patients with battle injuries from Afghanistan, statistics from Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA) show.
The figures reflect the intensifying violence as troops have battled to contain a resurgent Taliban.
The British death toll in Afghanistan has passed 200 with the worst period recorded in July as 22 soldiers were killed and scores more wounded.
The upsurge of violence was partly linked to the new British onslaught called Operation Panther's Claw.
Brigadier Chris Parker, Commandant of RCDM, said today: "The increased number of casualties experienced in recent months has been successfully managed by military and civilian staff working together at Selly Oak Hospital.
"Headley Court can accommodate the patients who are going through Selly Oak and has already allocated admission dates for the casualties who will need that level of rehabilitation."
Last month Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said: "Great improvements have been made to the medical care in theatre and in the UK, and we are rightly proud that survivability rates are now at their highest ever level."
