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Injured soldier angry over bills Injured soldier angry over bills
(about 11 hours later)
A soldier badly injured in Iraq has claimed the Ministry of Defence (MoD) abandoned him after refusing to pay for part of his treatment.A soldier badly injured in Iraq has claimed the Ministry of Defence (MoD) abandoned him after refusing to pay for part of his treatment.
Daniel Twiddy, from Stamford, Lincs, suffered 80% burns when his tank was hit by "friendly fire" in 2003.Daniel Twiddy, from Stamford, Lincs, suffered 80% burns when his tank was hit by "friendly fire" in 2003.
Despite praising the immediate care he received, Mr Twiddy said he was angry the government had refused to pay bills for a privately-arranged chiropractor.Despite praising the immediate care he received, Mr Twiddy said he was angry the government had refused to pay bills for a privately-arranged chiropractor.
The MoD said the welfare of service personnel was a top priority.The MoD said the welfare of service personnel was a top priority.
Mr Twiddy described the hospital treatment he received as "brilliant" but ran into problems on returning home.Mr Twiddy described the hospital treatment he received as "brilliant" but ran into problems on returning home.
The MoD said veterans already get priority treatmentHe went to a chiropractor to have creams applied but was unhappy when the MoD refused to pay the £60-a-week bill.The MoD said veterans already get priority treatmentHe went to a chiropractor to have creams applied but was unhappy when the MoD refused to pay the £60-a-week bill.
"It made me feel very bitter against the MoD," he said."It made me feel very bitter against the MoD," he said.
"I just feel you are used as a number, I just don't feel they are that bothered."I just feel you are used as a number, I just don't feel they are that bothered.
"Once they know you are injured it's 'He is no use to us anymore, he's a number lets get rid of him and we can get someone to replace him'."Once they know you are injured it's 'He is no use to us anymore, he's a number lets get rid of him and we can get someone to replace him'.
"I don't think they think about the mental scars inside but they just look at you and say 'he looks alright' and then throw you aside.""I don't think they think about the mental scars inside but they just look at you and say 'he looks alright' and then throw you aside."
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: "We have made major improvements to the operational welfare package.A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: "We have made major improvements to the operational welfare package.
"We accept there is more to be done and the welfare of our service personnel remains a top priority for the whole department."We accept there is more to be done and the welfare of our service personnel remains a top priority for the whole department.
"All veterans are entitled to receive priority treatment for injuries linked to their service.""All veterans are entitled to receive priority treatment for injuries linked to their service."
While the local branch of the British Legion declined to take up the case it did help with some costs. The British Legion has backed Mr Twiddy and offered to help with some of his costs.