HC Deb 11 November 1999 vol 337 cc710-1W
Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) how many (a) servicemen and women and (b) civilians are (i) resident or (ii) visiting for work at the Warminster Training Centre; and how many physicians and other trained medical staff provide (1) 24-hour cover and (2) working day cover; [97856]

(2) how many (a) physiotherapists and (b) osteopaths are (i) resident at or (ii) visitors to the Warminster Training Centre; and if he will make a statement about medical support at Warminster Training Centre. [97852]

Mr. Spellar

1,644 Servicemen and women and 944 civilians are employed at the Warminster Training Centre, none of whom is resident within the perimeter. In addition, up to 1,000 servicemen and women may be visiting, or on course at, the Training Centre at any time, some of whom may be accommodated in any of the two Officers' Messes, the Warrant Officers' Mess, the Sergeants' Mess or the Corporals' Mess.

Medical support to Warminster Training Centre consists of a Primary Care Practice, which is a designated Army Training Practice and provides the following service: Working day and 24 hour medical cover by:— a Senior Medical Officer (Lt Col) and a Regimental Medical Officer (Captain); two civilian locums who between them provide nine nights per month cover and three sessions (1.5 days) in total each week. A Community Psychiatric Nurse who visits for two sessions (one day) in total each week; a non-residential physiotherapist contracted for 11 hours each week who, with effect from 29 November, will be replaced by a full time military physiotherapist; six Regimental Medical Assistants and three Combat Medical Technicians of the 1st Battalion The Devon and Dorset Regiment; and a full time Health Visitor from Wiltshire Health Authority.

There are no osteopaths employed at, or visiting, the Centre.

In addition, a Dental Centre adjoins the Practice and consists of one civilian Practitioner, two civilian auxiliaries and one military Dental Nurse. All provide working day and 24 hour cover. Secondary medical care is provided by the Defence Secondary Care Agency and by the National Health Service Hospitals at Bath, Salisbury and Warminster.