UK forces 'short of medics' as two die

Government figures show the number of fully-qualified medical officers is 42 per cent below the required level and there is a 21 per cent shortfall in the number of nurses.

The statistics were obtained by former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell, who said the shortage must place "enormous strain" on the Defence Medical Services.

The reply to a parliamentary question emerged as the deaths of two more British serviceman were revealed – taking the grim toll since the conflict began to 265. A soldier, from A Company, 4th Battalion The Rifles, part of the 3 Rifles Battle Group, was shot dead yesterday near Sangin, in Helmand Province.

And on Wednesday night, an airman taking part in a vehicle-mounted patrol died as a result of injuries suffered in a blast north of Kandahar Airfield, in Kandahar province.

He was from 2 Squadron, Royal Air Force Regiment.

The families of both men have been informed.

The Ministry of Defence denied that British forces

had been sent into battle without the "appropriate medical support".

But Defence Minister Kevan Jones said although the required number of medical officers in the Defence Medical Service was 818, the trained strength was 476.

There were 1,500 nurses when the requirement was 1,900, the latest figures from October last year showed.

The number of medical support services personnel, including paramedics, showed a shortfall of more than 200, with a trained strength of

3,882 against a requirement of 4,083.

"There is no question of British forces deploying on military operations without the appropriate medical support," said an MoD spokesman.

"However, we acknowledge that manpower shortages remain a problem.

"We are taking active steps to address the shortfalls, including the use of reservists and recruitment incentives, as well as prioritising resources to support operations."

Sir Menzies said the armed forces deserved the "best" medical cover.

"The 42 per cent shortage of medical officers is deeply disturbing and must inevitably place enormous strain on those who are actually in service," he said.

"When we send young men and women into circumstances where they are at risk of life

and limb, we owe it to them to provide the best medical

cover."

Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox said: "It is horrifying that they are so short-staffed when medical staff are needed more than ever."

Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, paid tribute to the "courage and his selfless commitment" of the soldier killed in Afghanistan and saluted the airman killed

in last night's explosion.

"He died doing his duty and among his fellow airmen," said Lt Col

Wakefield.

"His sacrifice will not be forgotten."

Neither of the latest two deaths were linked to Operation Moshtarak – the joint UK, US and Afghan assault on insurgent strongholds.