The average length of time taken by Veterans UK and its predecessors to deal with War Disablement Pensions (WDP) and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) claims are detailed in the table below:

Note:

¹As at 31 December 2014

The majority of adaptations to Service Family Accommodation (SFA) properties are carried out for the benefit of family members and dependants. It is not possible to identify separately those carried out for the benefit of injured Service personnel.

In many cases, the MOD aims to move families into SFA properties which have already been adapted where this is appropriate, rather than understanding further adaptations.

The number of adaptations to privately owned houses of personnel injured on operations is shown in the following table:

Number of Adaptations

69

95

73

58

Data prior to this date is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

The Government believes that the country owes a particular debt of gratitude to those Service personnel who suffer life-changing injuries.

The Ministry of Defence therefore continues to improve the support that it offers to such personnel. In particular we now operate a Seriously Injured Leavers Protocol (SIL) which aims to ensure the identification of and ongoing support for, those Service leavers deemed likely to be medically discharged due to a severe physical or mental disablement.

This identification is based upon defined major disabling medical criteria, whilst the support is organised through the closer working of MOD in-Service and post Service welfare groups. The MOD’s Veterans Welfare Service proactively intervenes for 24 months and then maintains contact as required but at least yearly on the anniversary of discharge. Full details of the SIL protocol are available at the following website: http://www.veterans-uk.info/welfare/protocol_new.html

It is not possible to provide the value of payouts under the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) to forces personnel and veterans on the grounds of physical injuries as the information requested is not held in a format that would enable us to easily answer the question and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

The AFPS is primarily an occupational pension scheme where pension payments may be enhanced where a Service person is medically discharged with a condition caused by Service. The Pension scheme computer system does not hold details of the medical condition for which the enhanced pension is being paid.

Claims for damages brought against the Ministry of Defence (MOD) are not recorded in a manner that enables us to identify those for injuries received specifically in the course of training without incurring disproportionate cost.

Claims for damages brought against the Ministry of Defence (MOD) are not recorded in a manner that enables us to identify those for injuries received specifically in the course of training without incurring disproportionate cost.

239 Army Reserve personnel have returned injured from operations between 1 April 2007, when records began, and 30 April 2014.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 June 2014, Official Report, column 364W, to the hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston (Kate Green).

Reservists are treated exactly the same as regulars in terms of operational training and support while mobilised, including access to the same welfare support and medical treatment through the Defence Medical Services (DMS).

They are retained in service and will receive treatment and rehabilitation until they are medically assessed as having reached a steady state of fitness, at which point they will be demobilised. If they have continuing health care needs following demobilisation, they will be taken through a transition from military to NHS care. Reservists who are medically discharged as a result of injuries sustained during deployment are also entitled to resettlement training and to the same range of services available to regular veterans. Where service is the only or main cause of injury or illness, members or former members of the reserve forces may qualify for awards under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS).

The level and quality of post-operational support provided to injured mobilised reservists is exactly the same as that provided to regulars, with full access to all the facilities and expertise provided under the Army Recovery Capability, and it is a level of support of which the Army and the Ministry of Defence are extremely proud.

Following the Reserves 2020 White Paper, which proposed improvements to occupational health provision to ensure consistent access to these services for all reservists, the MOD committed to extending DMS occupational health provision to non-mobilised reservists. Rehabilitation services are also being extended to members of the reserve forces who are injured during reserve training. This is in addition to the procedure in place since 2006, whereby reservists can obtain DMS mental health treatment through the Veterans and Reserves Mental Health Programme. Implementation of the new measures started in April 2014.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 June 2014, Official Report, column 364W, to the hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston (Kate Green).

Reservists are treated exactly the same as regulars in terms of operational training and support while mobilised, including access to the same welfare support and medical treatment through the Defence Medical Services (DMS).

They are retained in service and will receive treatment and rehabilitation until they are medically assessed as having reached a steady state of fitness, at which point they will be demobilised. If they have continuing health care needs following demobilisation, they will be taken through a transition from military to NHS care. Reservists who are medically discharged as a result of injuries sustained during deployment are also entitled to resettlement training and to the same range of services available to regular veterans. Where service is the only or main cause of injury or illness, members or former members of the reserve forces may qualify for awards under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS).

The level and quality of post-operational support provided to injured mobilised reservists is exactly the same as that provided to regulars, with full access to all the facilities and expertise provided under the Army Recovery Capability, and it is a level of support of which the Army and the Ministry of Defence are extremely proud.

Following the Reserves 2020 White Paper, which proposed improvements to occupational health provision to ensure consistent access to these services for all reservists, the MOD committed to extending DMS occupational health provision to non-mobilised reservists. Rehabilitation services are also being extended to members of the reserve forces who are injured during reserve training. This is in addition to the procedure in place since 2006, whereby reservists can obtain DMS mental health treatment through the Veterans and Reserves Mental Health Programme. Implementation of the new measures started in April 2014.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 June 2014, Official Report, column 364W, to the hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston (Kate Green).

Reservists are treated exactly the same as regulars in terms of operational training and support while mobilised, including access to the same welfare support and medical treatment through the Defence Medical Services (DMS).

They are retained in service and will receive treatment and rehabilitation until they are medically assessed as having reached a steady state of fitness, at which point they will be demobilised. If they have continuing health care needs following demobilisation, they will be taken through a transition from military to NHS care. Reservists who are medically discharged as a result of injuries sustained during deployment are also entitled to resettlement training and to the same range of services available to regular veterans. Where service is the only or main cause of injury or illness, members or former members of the reserve forces may qualify for awards under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS).

The level and quality of post-operational support provided to injured mobilised reservists is exactly the same as that provided to regulars, with full access to all the facilities and expertise provided under the Army Recovery Capability, and it is a level of support of which the Army and the Ministry of Defence are extremely proud.

Following the Reserves 2020 White Paper, which proposed improvements to occupational health provision to ensure consistent access to these services for all reservists, the MOD committed to extending DMS occupational health provision to non-mobilised reservists. Rehabilitation services are also being extended to members of the reserve forces who are injured during reserve training. This is in addition to the procedure in place since 2006, whereby reservists can obtain DMS mental health treatment through the Veterans and Reserves Mental Health Programme. Implementation of the new measures started in April 2014.

The provision of health care for veterans in the UK is the responsibility of NHS (England) and the devolved Administrations. For NHS (England) this is the responsibility of individual GP-led Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). The comprehensive services CCGs commission reflect local priorities and the aspirations of the Armed Forces Covenant.

When mobilised, a Reservist has the same entitlement to health care provided by Defence Medical Services as a Regular Service person. The Defence Medical Rehabilitation Programme provides rehabilitation for injured or ill personnel, including Reservists mobilised for operations. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is extending rehabilitation services to Reservists injured during training; which will facilitate their return to fitness.

The MOD also provides War Disablement Pensions under the War Pensions Scheme if Reservists are no longer serving in HM Armed Forces and their disablement arose before 6 April 2005. The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme provides compensation for any injury, illness or death which is caused by service on or after 6 April 2005.

Help and advice is available to all veterans, including Reserves, from Veterans UK (formerly the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency). Information about how to claim a war pension or AFCS is available from Veterans UK at:

www.veterans-uk.info

or e-mail:

veterans.help@spva.gsi.gov.uk

or free helpline 0808 1914 2 18. Veterans UK can signpost individuals to other sources of assistance including the Veteran’s Welfare Service, which provides dedicated welfare support to veterans (including Reserves), their families, and dependants.

All personnel, but especially injured service personnel, are encouraged to participate in competitive sporting events. Earlier this month, it was announced that the first Invictus games will be held in September. It is anticipated that some 100 serving and veteran wounded, injured and sick personnel will take part.

The games will be an international sporting competition bringing together armed forces of nations that have served alongside each other. The Invictus games will use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect of those who serve their country.

Another key component of our approach is Battle Back, a Ministry of Defence-led Adaptive Sport and Adventurous Training programme. Individuals are being introduced to it at Headley Court, Lilleshall or through the network of personnel recovery centres.

The number of injury incidents involving trainee soldiers in Phase 1 and 2 training in 2012 and 2013 is shown in the following table:

The figures for Initial Training Group show Phase 1 recruits only. The totals include any reported injury, irrespective of level of seriousness.

No Phase 1 or Infantry Phase 2 recruits are on the ‘Pay As You Dine’ system. All Phase 1 and 2 recruits are provided with three nutritionally-balanced meals per day. Phase 1 recruits may receive a ‘fourth meal’ supplement during training to provide the additional calorific intake they require during that period.

The Ministry of Defence has no evidence to support the claim that soldiers are undernourished as a result of the Pay As You Dine system. Nutrition is fundamental to military personnel's physical capability. We strive to ensure that our catering, including that provided through Pay As You Dine, delivers the required quality of service, and that healthy food choices are offered to provide the required calorific and nutritional intake for our soldiers. Soldiers undergoing Phase 1 training and those in Infantry Phase 2 training are not on the Pay As You Dine system.

Three female RAF recruits have received common law damages for injuries suffered while participating in marching drills: all are from England. Similar information on payments under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

The Defence Medical Information Capability Programme (DMICP) is the source of electronic, integrated health care records for Defence Primary Healthcare and some specialist care providers. As at 22 November 2013, there are no service personnel with “facial scarring” entered in their record on the DMICP.

While a search for records of individuals with facial injuries could be undertaken, it would not be possible in every case to tell from the type of injury those which would have left a scar.

As at 31 March 2013 (the latest date for which War Pensions Scheme statistics are available) a minimum of 590 ex-service personnel were in receipt of an ongoing War Pension for facial scarring, burns or lacerations. No specific diagnostic code exists for facial scarring therefore a search of the free-text condition field was carried out to compile the figures. Due to the nature of free-text information it is possible that some records have not been identified and the figure of 590 should be interpreted as the minimum.

Between 6 April 2005 (the start of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)) and 31 March 2013 (the latest date for which information is available) 240 serving/ex-serving personnel were awarded compensation under the AFCS for facial scarring, burns or lacerations. As at 1 November 2013 (the date of the latest armed forces personnel file) 135 of these individuals were still serving and 105 had left the services.

While the Ministry of Defence does not necessarily hold data for all hospital admissions, we are aware that between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2012, 22 soldiers under the age of 18 have been admitted to hospital. Nine of these were admitted on an in-patient basis. It has not been possible to identify whether the remaining 13 were for an in-patient or out-patient appointment.

In the same period, three soldiers aged under 18 have died. This figure covers all causes of death: hostile action, accidents, natural causes, assaults, coroner confirmed suicides or open verdicts and cause not yet known.

The number of bed days for finished consultant episodes with a cause code of assault by sharp object between 2006-07 and 2011-12 is shown in the table. We have also supplied the number of day case episodes with a cause code of assault by sharp object as these are not included in the calculation of bed days. This data is available as part of the Health and Social Care Information Centre's admitted patient care annual publications.

It should be noted that the vast majority of people who attend hospital due to assault by a sharp object (including knives), are treated without being admitted to hospital—there is no accurate data on the number of people who attend hospital for treatment for this type of assault, but are not admitted.

Data on all in-patient admissions to national health service hospitals in England, including following an accident or injury, is produced by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) from the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) system. Admissions following an accident or injury can be identified in HES using the ICD10 coding system. This admitted patient care data only covers accidents and injuries serious enough to warrant admission to hospital as an inpatient. Data on attendances at NHS accident and emergency (A&E) departments in England, including those following an accident or injury, is also collected as part of the HES system dataset. However, the A&E information is less detailed than that collected for hospital inpatients, and there are issues with the quality of the data.

The European Union Recommendation on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion supports improved data information and surveillance. The Department has been in discussion with the devolved Administrations on what steps can be taken to improve data collection and to progress the project on the Joint Action on Monitoring Injuries in Europe (JAMIE), funded through the EU Health Programme. There is United Kingdom involvement in the project which looks to improve data collection on accidental injury within the UK and contribute to the EU Injury Database.

Public Health England has established a national Surveillance Strategy Committee to consider the public health justification and scientific case for new surveillance systems for England, so will be considering surveillance of accidents as an early priority. The devolved Administrations have also looked at their injury surveillance systems, as part of consideration for the JAMIE project.