Muslim accosts injured Para in hospital
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The scandal of the way injured soldiers are being treated on their return is finally being picked up by the press, who in turn are getting excellent information from sites such as ARRSE and this one- the pithy quotes thus gleaned from people in the thick of it are being put to good use. The more the better.
It's a pity that the Tories are holding back somewhat on this scandal, presumably as they are aware that there was a round of military hospital closures on their watch. Such are political sensitivities.
To drive this issue to the front of public awareness I hope that someone will pick up the idea of getting as many injured sodiers as possible to march as a group past the Cenotaph next month on Remembrance Day. The sight of young men, bandaged, on crutches, in wheelchairs, the blind being led, would have enormous impact on the public - driving home the real cost of Blair's foreign policy.
And if the powers that be don't allow this (as I suspect, )that in itself will be a major story.
It's a pity that the Tories are holding back somewhat on this scandal, presumably as they are aware that there was a round of military hospital closures on their watch. Such are political sensitivities.
To drive this issue to the front of public awareness I hope that someone will pick up the idea of getting as many injured sodiers as possible to march as a group past the Cenotaph next month on Remembrance Day. The sight of young men, bandaged, on crutches, in wheelchairs, the blind being led, would have enormous impact on the public - driving home the real cost of Blair's foreign policy.
And if the powers that be don't allow this (as I suspect, )that in itself will be a major story.
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Telegraph 03.10.06
Full report here
Wounded soldiers 'get appalling health care'
By Thomas Harding, Defence Correspondent, Nick Britten and Catriona Davies
Senior Army officers and Service charities united last night in condemning the treatment of wounded troops as "an absolute disgrace".
Field Marshal Lord Bramall, a former chief of the defence staff, said the outpatient service for soldiers was "appalling". Charity chiefs believe there is a "lost battalion" of 500 troops who have been ignored or forgotten after leaving hospital.
The row follows The Daily Telegraph's report of security worries at Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham, where a paratrooper was threatened by a man who accused him of "killing my Muslim brothers in Afghanistan".
Field Marshal Bramall, who commanded the Army during the Falklands conflict, said that military medical care had been "cobbled together" and was clearly not working.
He said: "The Ministry of Defence always said it would put things right with a centre of excellence for military care in Birmingham which was going to be a tremendous place. But it never took off because no funds were put into it. The situation is now very serious and needs to be addressed immediately."
By Thomas Harding, Defence Correspondent, Nick Britten and Catriona Davies
Senior Army officers and Service charities united last night in condemning the treatment of wounded troops as "an absolute disgrace".
Field Marshal Lord Bramall, a former chief of the defence staff, said the outpatient service for soldiers was "appalling". Charity chiefs believe there is a "lost battalion" of 500 troops who have been ignored or forgotten after leaving hospital.
The row follows The Daily Telegraph's report of security worries at Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham, where a paratrooper was threatened by a man who accused him of "killing my Muslim brothers in Afghanistan".
Field Marshal Bramall, who commanded the Army during the Falklands conflict, said that military medical care had been "cobbled together" and was clearly not working.
He said: "The Ministry of Defence always said it would put things right with a centre of excellence for military care in Birmingham which was going to be a tremendous place. But it never took off because no funds were put into it. The situation is now very serious and needs to be addressed immediately."
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Hello all service people,
I'm an ordinary middle aged English bloke. I'm a private pilot which why I'm reading pprune. I know this is the Military bit and I appreciate you let me read it. I resist the temptation to post where possible because it's not my patch. I'm a civvy with no connection to the forces other than having friends and relatives who serve or have served. But on this thread I do have a connection because I know that it's only you guys and gals who stand between my family and me and some very nasty people.
I travel to the States quite a lot on business and have some good friends who are Americans. I know how they value their service people, and us. Virtually every American I meet - just two weeks ago an American couple on vacation in Dublin who I fell into conversation with in a bar - go out of their way to thank the British for their support for the US.
I was UTTERLY APPALLED to read this story. The attitude of a huge number of British, white and 'Christian' as well as non-white and 'Moslem', towards the very brave people of our armed forces is horrifying.
Had I been at that hospital and seen or heard that, I would have given that 'Moslem' individual a taliking to such as he has never had before. Presumably he is a subject of Her Majesty the Queen? I would have stood in that ward with those brave wounded men to protect them from scum like that UNTIL THE END OF TIME if necessary. There are not many people in this country who would abuse wounded servicemen, but the horrifying thing is that there are many people who sit on the fence and would not have the moral fibre to stand up for the wounded men and to execrate the person who abused them.
Of course the wars that you are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan have been mishandled by our politicians, both in the UK and the US, and that has tainted the honour of our country in prosecuting them. (It's wrecked the honour of the politicians, but that doesn't matter.) But it does NOT taint the honour of our servicemen and women. We should all stand behind you and support you where we can.
Sorry, this is a bit of a rant, but I just wanted anyone who is or might be in this situation to know that there is at least one English civvy who values your sacrifice and would support you all as much as I can. I'm sure there are more but somehow our voice doesn't get heard enough.
I'm an ordinary middle aged English bloke. I'm a private pilot which why I'm reading pprune. I know this is the Military bit and I appreciate you let me read it. I resist the temptation to post where possible because it's not my patch. I'm a civvy with no connection to the forces other than having friends and relatives who serve or have served. But on this thread I do have a connection because I know that it's only you guys and gals who stand between my family and me and some very nasty people.
I travel to the States quite a lot on business and have some good friends who are Americans. I know how they value their service people, and us. Virtually every American I meet - just two weeks ago an American couple on vacation in Dublin who I fell into conversation with in a bar - go out of their way to thank the British for their support for the US.
I was UTTERLY APPALLED to read this story. The attitude of a huge number of British, white and 'Christian' as well as non-white and 'Moslem', towards the very brave people of our armed forces is horrifying.
Had I been at that hospital and seen or heard that, I would have given that 'Moslem' individual a taliking to such as he has never had before. Presumably he is a subject of Her Majesty the Queen? I would have stood in that ward with those brave wounded men to protect them from scum like that UNTIL THE END OF TIME if necessary. There are not many people in this country who would abuse wounded servicemen, but the horrifying thing is that there are many people who sit on the fence and would not have the moral fibre to stand up for the wounded men and to execrate the person who abused them.
Of course the wars that you are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan have been mishandled by our politicians, both in the UK and the US, and that has tainted the honour of our country in prosecuting them. (It's wrecked the honour of the politicians, but that doesn't matter.) But it does NOT taint the honour of our servicemen and women. We should all stand behind you and support you where we can.
Sorry, this is a bit of a rant, but I just wanted anyone who is or might be in this situation to know that there is at least one English civvy who values your sacrifice and would support you all as much as I can. I'm sure there are more but somehow our voice doesn't get heard enough.
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Please can we stop talking about Civil Servants, deployable or not, on a thread about a scandalous indignity suffered by a wounded soldier.
Done Brian. CS posts moved to their own thread. http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=246637
Done Brian. CS posts moved to their own thread. http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=246637
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I'm surprised the Daily Telegraph printed this story...it's more the style of the Daily Hate. Whilst it's not on that any injured service personnel should have to put up with this, the story itself is based on hearsay. Not good.
If the "offender" had done it once and was warned about it, then I would think he could have been nicked a second time for threatening behaviour under the public order act.
Hey ho, I wasn't there and neither were the Daily Telegraph.
As an aside I totally agree that service personnel injured on active service should have their own medical facilities and not be in NHS wards.
If the "offender" had done it once and was warned about it, then I would think he could have been nicked a second time for threatening behaviour under the public order act.
Hey ho, I wasn't there and neither were the Daily Telegraph.
As an aside I totally agree that service personnel injured on active service should have their own medical facilities and not be in NHS wards.
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Footless Halls - 
I'm out now, but as they say, "you can take the man out of the Army, but not the Army out of the man". Thank you so much for your words of support. I live in the US, so I also know exactly what you mean about the "ordinary folk" here too. This story sickened me.
Thanks again.
I'm out now, but as they say, "you can take the man out of the Army, but not the Army out of the man". Thank you so much for your words of support. I live in the US, so I also know exactly what you mean about the "ordinary folk" here too. This story sickened me.
Thanks again.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
the story itself is based on hearsay. Not good
If they don´t arrest them in central London, what makes you think they´ll arrest them in Birmingham?
Would I be right in suggesting that under the various new laws brought in under New Liarbour to protect EMs, an offence is commited if anyone takes offence to what is said by the perpetrator? Therefore can we not all complain to the Brum police and state that we have been offended by what this EM said and that if we formally complain they will have to investigate. Remember ladies and gents use the law as it wasn't intended. The majority population can be equally as offended by something said by a minority as the other way around! Make the law work for the majority!
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
I repeat, If they don´t charge them for this in London, and as you can see there were complaints, what makes you think they´ll do so in Birmingham?
You´ve got to be a Christian handing out pamphlets to be arrested on religious grounds in the UK. Totally provocative and out of order that is....
You´ve got to be a Christian handing out pamphlets to be arrested on religious grounds in the UK. Totally provocative and out of order that is....
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I still think it's a shocking piece of writing and not befitting the Torygraph.
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If wounded soldiers are being taunted in hospitals it is an outrage and people should dealt with accordingly. I would suggest the perp is given an expenses paid guided tour of both Meanee Barracks and Hyderabad Barracks in Colchester where he could repeat his views and opinions.
Only problem is that newspapers, all newspapers, want to sell copy and stories can be a load of cobblers, for example the Sunday Telegraph printed a story in 2003 about certain "Labour run councils" who had banned Hot Cross Buns for PC reasons. It got lots of people hot under the collar with all the accompanying rants. Shame it was all a pack of lies
Only problem is that newspapers, all newspapers, want to sell copy and stories can be a load of cobblers, for example the Sunday Telegraph printed a story in 2003 about certain "Labour run councils" who had banned Hot Cross Buns for PC reasons. It got lots of people hot under the collar with all the accompanying rants. Shame it was all a pack of lies
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Grauniad: Charities criticise shortfall in care for injured troops
.......The MoD has succumbed to pressure and agreed to set up a "military-managed ward" at Selly Oak hospital, Birmingham, which includes the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine. Soldiers admitted to the hospital from Iraq and Afghanistan with severe war wounds have been sharing wards with civilians. It is one of the measures that will be announced in response to growing pressure from military medics and service charities about the treatment handed out to the increasing number of British troops wounded in foreign operations, well-placed sources have told the Guardian.
But some charities made it clear yesterday they do not believe the measures go far enough. "There is a fundamental principle that people who have been blown up should not be looked after by someone who doesn't understand. It's obvious," a senior charity official said.
Former military officers say separate military wards were part of a deal made within the MoD when the decision to close military hospitals was taken by the Conservative government 10 years ago. The deal was never implemented.
Sue Freeth, director of welfare at the British Legion, said yesterday that one Selly Oak ward was unlikely to be enough. She also said the MoD had not been sufficiently active in ensuring that wounded soldiers and their families knew how to contact service charities as quickly as possible. "We not want to come across people by accident," she added........
.......The MoD has succumbed to pressure and agreed to set up a "military-managed ward" at Selly Oak hospital, Birmingham, which includes the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine. Soldiers admitted to the hospital from Iraq and Afghanistan with severe war wounds have been sharing wards with civilians. It is one of the measures that will be announced in response to growing pressure from military medics and service charities about the treatment handed out to the increasing number of British troops wounded in foreign operations, well-placed sources have told the Guardian.
But some charities made it clear yesterday they do not believe the measures go far enough. "There is a fundamental principle that people who have been blown up should not be looked after by someone who doesn't understand. It's obvious," a senior charity official said.
Former military officers say separate military wards were part of a deal made within the MoD when the decision to close military hospitals was taken by the Conservative government 10 years ago. The deal was never implemented.
Sue Freeth, director of welfare at the British Legion, said yesterday that one Selly Oak ward was unlikely to be enough. She also said the MoD had not been sufficiently active in ensuring that wounded soldiers and their families knew how to contact service charities as quickly as possible. "We not want to come across people by accident," she added........
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Stumbled across the following link when looking for something else.
Seems we are not alone in getting pastoral care wrong:
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/BrianRoss/...1894152&page=1
Seems we are not alone in getting pastoral care wrong:
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/BrianRoss/...1894152&page=1
The one real weak link in the US Army has always been the admin side of the house moves much slower than does the rest of the Army.
Throw in the new age of computerization and one can understand how these things work. Until the computer is told to cease it's programmed functions by a human....it will merrily work its little ol' heart out per the routine.
May I assume JPA is the equal of the US Army centralized pay and personnel system?
You will notice in the last sentence, the illustrious ABC, notes the Army took corrective action in those cases it cited. Mind you the damage had been done!
Throw in the new age of computerization and one can understand how these things work. Until the computer is told to cease it's programmed functions by a human....it will merrily work its little ol' heart out per the routine.
May I assume JPA is the equal of the US Army centralized pay and personnel system?
You will notice in the last sentence, the illustrious ABC, notes the Army took corrective action in those cases it cited. Mind you the damage had been done!
http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news...dtl=1&mid=3609
http://www.moaa.org/Magazine/April2006/f_wounded.asp
A couple of good articles about US Military treatment facilities for returning wounded.
The USMC at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina set up a facility called Maxwell Hall to care for the troops coping with wounds.
http://www.moaa.org/Magazine/April2006/f_wounded.asp
A couple of good articles about US Military treatment facilities for returning wounded.
The USMC at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina set up a facility called Maxwell Hall to care for the troops coping with wounds.
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Terrorists targetted hospital bound wounded army and security forces in Northern Ireland many times. Both in army wards and NHS wards.
Sending someone in dessie gear to an NHS hospital were anyone could be wandering about is ludicrous.
Fos
Safe home to everyone out there.
Sending someone in dessie gear to an NHS hospital were anyone could be wandering about is ludicrous.
Fos
Safe home to everyone out there.
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Grauniad: Charities criticise shortfall in care for injured troops
.......The MoD has succumbed to pressure and agreed to set up a "military-managed ward" at Selly Oak hospital, Birmingham, which includes the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine. Soldiers admitted to the hospital from Iraq and Afghanistan with severe war wounds have been sharing wards with civilians. It is one of the measures that will be announced in response to growing pressure from military medics and service charities about the treatment handed out to the increasing number of British troops wounded in foreign operations, well-placed sources have told the Guardian.
But some charities made it clear yesterday they do not believe the measures go far enough. "There is a fundamental principle that people who have been blown up should not be looked after by someone who doesn't understand. It's obvious," a senior charity official said.
Former military officers say separate military wards were part of a deal made within the MoD when the decision to close military hospitals was taken by the Conservative government 10 years ago. The deal was never implemented.
Sue Freeth, director of welfare at the British Legion, said yesterday that one Selly Oak ward was unlikely to be enough. She also said the MoD had not been sufficiently active in ensuring that wounded soldiers and their families knew how to contact service charities as quickly as possible. "We not want to come across people by accident," she added........
.......The MoD has succumbed to pressure and agreed to set up a "military-managed ward" at Selly Oak hospital, Birmingham, which includes the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine. Soldiers admitted to the hospital from Iraq and Afghanistan with severe war wounds have been sharing wards with civilians. It is one of the measures that will be announced in response to growing pressure from military medics and service charities about the treatment handed out to the increasing number of British troops wounded in foreign operations, well-placed sources have told the Guardian.
But some charities made it clear yesterday they do not believe the measures go far enough. "There is a fundamental principle that people who have been blown up should not be looked after by someone who doesn't understand. It's obvious," a senior charity official said.
Former military officers say separate military wards were part of a deal made within the MoD when the decision to close military hospitals was taken by the Conservative government 10 years ago. The deal was never implemented.
Sue Freeth, director of welfare at the British Legion, said yesterday that one Selly Oak ward was unlikely to be enough. She also said the MoD had not been sufficiently active in ensuring that wounded soldiers and their families knew how to contact service charities as quickly as possible. "We not want to come across people by accident," she added........
This time last year I was half way through a 5 week stay in Selly Oak Hospital following a pretty nasty accident. My orthopaedic consultant was the RAF Wing Co you may have seen on the news reports of Prince Charles' visit to the hospital yesterday and he is a great surgeon and nice guy to boot. Most of the nursing staff who treated me were also military and a damn fine bunch they are too.
There were a number of military guys on the ward where I spent the majority of the 5 weeks and the fact is that there was no security for them. If anyone was of the same inclination as the aforementioned muslim then they could have had a dig at any one of the servicemen being treated on the ward.
The staff did try and keep us civvies in seperate bays, but at times this simply just wasn't possible, and it created incredibly awkward situations. What does a civilian like me say to a young guy who has been flown back to the UK suffering from significant life changing injuries in war? You try to be as friendly as you can but naturally it proved very difficult when the guy has got peers and colleagues down the corridor that he can't get to speak to - and these are the people they need to be with at that time.
I don't profess to know anything about the closures of military hospitals, and won't say anything negative about the care I recieved and am still receiving, but these guys need to be in their own exclusive wards / hospitals wherever possible I would say.
Just an observation from a concerned reader.
Take care out there.
Gareth
