Cpl Sam Wilkinson, R Signals
I think it is important that you keep wounded soldiers together, so a military ward is a great idea. While I have never used the health care system I have seen the medical facilities in Iraq. The field hospital there is spot on. I’ve absolute confidence in the medical system. You only have to look at Headley Court to see that the rehabilitation offered is impressive.
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Cpl Cam Pitcairn, R Signals
The new military ward is a very good idea. If you have been wounded you should be put together with others who have the same experiences as you. You don’t want to be on a ward where nobody understands what you have been through.
I’ve not had cause to use the medical system, but from what I’ve seen I think you are treated very professionally in theatre. Looking at the medivac chain and Headley Court I’m happy with what we have. |
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Sgt Scott McKenzie, RA
I have to say that I am wary of the NHS and think the medical system we have in place needs reviewing. Standards are better than they were prior to the fighting in Afghanistan but there is always room for improvement. The system of care that we have in theatre is fine. Headley Court is also very good at what it does for soldiers who are undergoing rehabilitation.
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Cpl Matt McGlown, R Signals
I’ve not really had any experience of the medical chain, but I’ve been out to Afghanistan and helped to build the field hospital at Camp Bastion. From what I saw while I was out there you would be well looked after if you were wounded. It will be a step forward to have a new military ward in Birmingham. I think soldiers need something like that and it’s a very good idea.
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LBdr Ross Glen, RA
I had a dental appointment when I was in Iraq on Op Telic 9 and although it took place in a tent, the care was just the same as you would expect in the UK. The place looked like a normal dental surgery. There are specialists in theatre if anything happens to you. In the UK a military ward in Birmingham would be a good thing. It is much better to be alongside other soldiers if you have been injured.
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Capt Ken Smith, R Signals
You have to go with what you are given and have confidence in the system. In the case of Selly Oak, the doctors and nurses are gaining more experience with injured soldiers, but a new military ward can only improve things. I’ve been in the Army for 22 years and was last in Iraq in 2005 and think the standard of care in theatre is probably a lot better than some places in the UK and Germany.
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Maj Rob Holland, RA
I’ve been in the Army for 35 years and we had military hospitals all over the place when I joined. I think soldiers being treated in Birmingham do need to be together while they are recovering – I don’t think they should be mixed with civilians.
A military ward is a good idea and unfortunately we need it with the types of injuries that soldiers are currently receiving on tour in Afghanistan.
facility.
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WO2 Tim Tatler, RLC
The opening of a new military ward is welcome news. I’m of the view that soldiers should be treated alongside other soldiers, as they can all relate to each other. I’ve been through Headley Court three times myself after suffering a repetitive injury through playing rugby and football. It made a huge difference and I’m still in the Army because of the standard of care I received. |
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Capt Jock Reid, R Signals
I live in Herford and troops based there are treated in German hospitals if they are ill or injured. I shattered my wrist while I was snowboarding and the standards of treatment were extremely high. The military ward in Birmingham will be a good thing. Guys on ops must have 100 per cent confidence that they will be looked after if something goes wrong. It has taken the civilian systems a little time to adapt.
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