Rise in UK Afghan troop injuries

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The number of British troops treated for wounds sustained in Afghanistan has risen, according to official figures.

In 2008, 254 personnel injured in the conflict received medical attention at UK facilities, Defence Analytical Services and Advice statistics show.

But by the end of July this year, 299 wounded troops had already been seen at the centres in Surrey and Birmingham.

UK troops suffered their bloodiest month in July as they helped shore up security ahead of Afghan elections.

A total of 22 service personnel lost their lives last month amid a major offensive against the Taliban, known as Operation Panther's Claw. It was the biggest monthly loss since operations began in 2001.

The total number of UK troops killed in the conflict now stands at 206 after two soldiers were killed in an explosion while on patrol in Helmand province on 20 August.

'Successfully managed'

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced last month that regular statistics would be published showing the number of military patients treated at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine at Selly Oak in Birmingham or the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court in Surrey.

Defence Analytical Services and Advice is the MoD's official source of UK defence statistics.

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 Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth

Brigadier Chris Parker, commandant of the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine at Selly Oak, said the rise in the number of injured personnel was being adequately dealt with.

"The increased number of casualties experienced in recent months has been successfully managed by military and civilian staff working together at Selly Oak Hospital," he said.

"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."

Announcing the release of the injury figures last month, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said the MoD was committed to being "open about casualties suffered" by British forces.

"These figures will aid understanding of the tempo of our operations and the great lengths the medical personnel go to ensure our patients receive world class care throughout their recovery," he 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."

Four US soldiers were killed on Tuesday by a bomb in southern Afghanistan.

The deaths bring the number of foreign forces killed in Afghanistan in 2009 to 295, the deadliest year since the US-led invasion to overthrow the Taliban.