Forces’ medics in battle against ‘vermin’

BRITISH Armed Forces are using some medical facilities that suffer “vermin infestations” and “suboptimal” patient care, according to the health watchdog.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) warned run-down health practices on military bases put patients “at risk”.

Inspectors rated 40 per cent of military medical centres they inspected as either “inadequate” or “requires improvement”.

They revealed there were too few staff, with some lacking the right training, in some centres.

Many medical centres were found to be housed in ageing buildings, prompting fears of sub-standard facilities.

Among centres named as providing “inadequate” services are Northwood, in north-west London, Bovington, in Dorset, Boulmer, in Northumberland, and Woolwich, in south-east London.

Just over half of the 25 medical centres targeted by the CQC (52 per cent) were ranked as good, with eight per cent regarded as “outstanding”.

The report said: “CQC has inspected a number of medical centres where patient care is suboptimal because of poor infrastructure or workforce gaps.

“We are finding that infrastructure issues that we identified in 2011 have still not been resolved.

“We have identified some common issues: damp, insufficient space, poor ergonomics, lack of sound-proofing, inadequate arrangements to protect privacy and dignity, and a history of vermin infestations.”

In response to the report, the Head Defence Medical Services Regulator said: “Where CQC has escalated issues concerning DPHC [Defence Primary Healthcare], the DMSR has taken appropriate action, including regulation or enforcement notices, to ensure that Defence responds accordingly.

The Ministry of Defence said: “As the report shows, the majority of medical facilities are delivering good or outstanding care.

“We are taking urgent action to tackle some of the issues identified in the report and have already resolved reported infestations.”