There has been an increased call for information on injured UK service personnel; partially in the light of the Murrison report that focussed on the future treatment of armed forces veterans with amputations. In response to this rise in demand for information, Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA) – the official source of UK Defence Statistics and National Statistics publications for the Ministry of Defence – publishes a quarterly report on amputation statistics. Given that we have reported previously on the Murrison report, we have included this report for interest and the full text can be read here.
The latest report covers the period 7 October 2001 – 31 March 2012 and is compiled from a number of databases and other sources. Amputations are classified in two ways, namely:
• Traumatic or surgical amputation – this can cover loss of a part or all of a toe or finger up to the loss of complete limbs
• Significant multiple amputees – an amputation at or above a wrist or elbow on more than one limb.
Observations
The report does not provided a breakdown of the injuries experienced or the exact number involved in order to prevent possible identification of the individuals concerned. In this regard, all numbers less than 5 have been suppressed. As a result, the actual numbers quoted are subject to rounding and are not factually correct. For this reason, it is not possible to gain a clear picture of the number of amputees that might be expected to present at a Disablement Services Centre following their eventual discharge.
It is also the case that the data used in relation to personnel being given medical discharges through a Medical Board is not presented in statistical form. Such discharges do not cite the principal disability as the reason for leaving the service and some Medical Boards may not take place until months or even years after the initial event or injury. Indeed, some earlier injures may not be the later problem that presents the final reason for a discharge.
Treatment
Since 2001, the University Hospital Birmingham Foundation Trust has been the main receiving centre for military casualties with Queen Elizabeth Hospital taking the majority. Following treatment at Queen Elizabeth or 1 of 4 other hospitals in Birmingham, rehabilitation is carried out at Headley Court in Surrey. This provides advanced rehabilitation and also prosthetics.
Afghanistan
The following table sets out the number of surviving UK service personnel who sustained a partial or complete limb amputation resulting from injuries whilst on duty in Afghanistan.
| Period |
01/02 |
02/03 | 03/04 | 04/05 | 05/06 | 06/07 | 07/08 | 08/09 | 09/10 | 10/11 |
11/12 |
| Apr-Jun |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ~ | 5 | ~ | 5 | 19 |
14 |
| Jul-Sep |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ~ | ~ | 5 | 22 | 20 |
15 |
| Oct-Dec |
~ |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ~ | ~ | 15 | 24 | 19 |
10 |
| Jan-Mar |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ~ | 6 | ~ | 20 | 17 |
7 |
| Total |
~ |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 17 | 28 | 71 | 75 |
46 |
Notes
1. ~ = suppressed data in accordance with DASA rounding policy
2. These figures include partial or complete amputations for either upper or lower limbs
Iraq
The following table sets out the number of surviving UK service personnel who sustained a partial or complete limb amputation resulting from injuries whilst on duty in Iraq.
| Period | 02/03 | 03/04 | 04/05 | 05/06 | 06/07 | 07/08 | 08/09 | 09/10 | 10/11 | 11/12 |
| Apr-Jun | 0 | 0 | 0 | ~ | ~ | 0 | ~ | ~ | 0 | |
| Jul-Sep | 0 | 0 | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Oct-Dec | 0 | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Jan-Mar | ~ | ~ | 0 | 0 | ~ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | ~ | ~ | 0 | 0 | 10 | 6 | ~ | ~ | ~ | 0 |
Notes
1. ~ = suppressed data in accordance with DASA rounding policy
2. These figures include partial or complete amputations for either upper or lower limbs
These two tables suggest a total to date of 262 amputees, which is approximately 65% of the level anticipated by the Department of Health in its post Murrison report assessment of the situation regarding forthcoming demand on the NHS. However, this figure is likely to be distorted as it includes partial amputations, including fingers and toes.
Significant multiple amputees
As a subset of the two above tables, the following table summarises the number of surviving UK service personnel that sustained significant multiple amputations (SMA) as a result of injuries whilst in either Iraq or Afghanistan.
| Date when SMA occurred | Iraq | Afghanistan |
| 2001/02 | 0 | |
| 2002/03 | 0 | 0 |
| 2003/04 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004/05 | ~ | 0 |
| 2005/06 | ~ | 0 |
| 2006/07 | 0 | ~ |
| 2007/08 | 0 | ~ |
| 2008/09 | 0 | 7 |
| 2009/10 | 0 | 32 |
| 2010/11 | 0 | 36 |
| 2011/12 | 0 | 18 |
Notes
1. ~ = suppressed data in accordance with DASA rounding policy
If this table more accurately represents the likely amputees that will, at some point, require NHS care following discharge from the armed forces, then a total to date of 93 is approximately 23% of the total being anticipated by the Department of Health. This is welcome news, both in terms of the level of service personnel sustaining this form of injury and also when considering the potential demand that may be placed on NHS services in the future.
