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Defence MPs visit military wards 'No complacency' on military care
(about 4 hours later)
MPs carrying out an inquiry into military medical care are visiting a hospital where service personnel hurt in Iraq and Afghanistan are treated. The government has denied "complacency" over medical care for the armed forces and that standards had fallen.
The members of the Commons Defence Committee will speak to patients at the specialist unit at Birmingham's Selly Oak Hospital. Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram angrily denied the claims by Tory Andrew Murrison in a Commons debate.
After, the committee will hear evidence from NHS chiefs and representatives. Mr Ingram said "excellent treatment" was given and critics did a "huge discredit" to the armed forces and NHS.
The inquiry follows criticism of the care and support given to wounded personnel in some areas. Meanwhile, MPs carrying out an inquiry into military medical care visited a hospital where service personnel hurt in Iraq and Afghanistan are treated.
The site's Royal Centre for Defence Medicine is a major centre for service personnel injured in the two war zones. The inquiry, by the Commons Defence Committee, follows criticism of the care and support given to wounded personnel in some areas.
Julie Moore, chief executive of University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, will be among those giving evidence to the committee. Its committee members were scheduled to speak to patients, NHS chiefs and representatives at the specialist unit at Birmingham's Selly Oak Hospital.
Witnesses will also include representatives from other NHS trusts where Ministry of Defence hospital units are based. The Commons row erupted during a debate on the armed forces.
The last military-run hospital, Haslar Hospital, near Portsmouth, was handed over to the NHS at the end of March. 'Frontline perception'
The inquiry was launched following criticism over the closure of the military hospitals and some complaints about the treatment received by soldiers in NHS hospitals. Dr Murrison, a Royal Navy Reserve member who served in Iraq in 2003, told Mr Ingram: "You talk of your commitment to our troops in action.
Can it be improved? Yes, it can and we won't stint in doing so Adam IngramArmed Forces Minister
"Clearly from the front line the perception is very different indeed and I'm surprised at your complacency."
Mr Ingram called the charge "an outrageous comment".
"The quality and the dedication of our medical teams is of the highest standard," he said.
"Criticisms have been made. Those criticisms now have to be addressed. If they stack up, we will have find answers.
"But we aren't complacent. The overall quality of care, both in theatre and when they return home, is of the very highest standard.
"Can it be improved? Yes, it can and we won't stint in doing so."
Mr Ingram also denied allegations that standards of theatre care were worse now than 40 years ago.
"The standard of today's medical service is vastly better than what was provided in the Falklands War, let alone the Vietnam war," he said.
He added that casualties now survived injuries that would "certainly have killed them 40 years ago".
The Commons Defence Committee inquiry was launched following criticism over the closure of the military hospitals and some complaints about the treatment received by soldiers in NHS hospitals.
Among criticisms is that there is no suitable accommodation at Selly Oak for family members who want to be with their relative during often long periods of recovery.Among criticisms is that there is no suitable accommodation at Selly Oak for family members who want to be with their relative during often long periods of recovery.
The government argues that military hospitals cannot match NHS specialised care and treatment.The government argues that military hospitals cannot match NHS specialised care and treatment.
The Commons Defence Committee is expected to publish its recommendations later this year. The committee is expected to publish its recommendations later this year.