Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Mr. Don Foster
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many service personnel injured in Afghanistan were admitted to UK hospitals as a result of their injury in each year since 2001;

(2) how many service personnel injured in Afghanistan have been hospitalised for more than (a) three months, (b) six months and (c) nine months as a result of their injury.

Mr. Kevan Jones
Prior to 8 October 2007, the information requested was not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, from 8 October 2007, the Defence Patient Tracking System (DPTS) has provided a centrally available record of locations where healthcare is being delivered along the care pathway of military patients.

Between 8 October 2007 and 14 May 2009, the DPTS shows 387 service personnel were admitted as an in-patient to one or more UK hospitals because of injuries sustained in Afghanistan. Of these personnel, 330 were admitted as an in-patient to one UK hospital only and 57 were admitted as an in-patient to more than one UK hospital.

11 of the 387 Service personnel were admitted to a UK hospital and were an in-patient for more than three months but less than six months.

None of the 387 Service personnel were admitted to a UK hospital and were an in-patient for more than six months but less than nine months.

None of the 387 Service personnel were admitted to a UK hospital and were an in-patient for more than nine months.

215 of the 387 Service Personnel included in this response still have open care pathways in the DPTS as they are still receiving specialist treatment. As such, some might require further periods as a hospital in-patient after 14 May 2009, leading to an increased cumulative length of time they have been admitted as an in-patient.

Some injured service personnel also receive out-patient hospital care and, or rehabilitation at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court or at one of the MOD's Regional Rehabilitation Units.