War wounded 'need military wards'

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UK troops in NHS hospitals should be treated in separate wings even if it requires public wards to be shut down, the shadow defence secretary has said.

Liam Fox said it was a "disgrace" to treat them alongside civilian patients.

A relative of a paratrooper wounded in Afghanistan had reportedly said the soldier had been threatened by a Muslim visitor on an NHS ward in Birmingham.

But the Ministry of Defence has said it has no evidence of the soldier being threatened at the Selly Oak Hospital.

Dr Fox said: "It is a betrayal of our troops having them treated in mixed and open wards.

We owe it to those who have risked their lives on our behalf to treat them with dignity Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox

"For those who have been traumatised in combat, healing of the mind is as important as healing of the body.

"The best place for this to happen is in an exclusive military ward, where they can recover alongside their comrades who understand what they have been through.

"We owe it to those who have risked their lives on our behalf to treat them with dignity.

"After nine years, Labour cannot understand this. We do."

Safety 'paramount'

The paratrooper had feared for his safety, according to the Daily Telegraph.

The man who allegedly accosted him was said to have told the soldier: "You have been killing my Muslim brothers in Afghanistan."

The health care given is driven by clinical need MoD

The Ministry of Defence said it had no record of the threat.

A spokeswoman said: "We have provisions in place for personnel to report any concerns."

The security at the hospital was continually monitored "to ensure it is kept at appropriate levels", she said.

"The safety of our personnel remains paramount.

"Wherever clinically practicable, we try to keep military personnel on the same ward in order to maintain military ethos.

"However, the health care given is driven by clinical need and if specialist care is required on civilian wards surely that is what is best."

The MoD said Defence Secretary Des Browne had made two private visits to Selly Oak Hospital and was talking to Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt about creating a military ward there.

The UK's last remaining military hospital, the Royal Hospital Haslar in Portsmouth, is due to close next year.