Annual medical discharges in the UK Regular Armed Forces

Written by Lloyd Pike, Solicitor in our Military department.

On Thursday 18^th July 2024, the Ministry of Defence published the latest figures depicting the number of Annual Medical Discharges in the UK Regular Armed Forces. These statistics cover the period from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2024 and include statistics from the Army, Royal Navy and RAF.

For background, when a member of the Armed Forces becomes injured or affected by a medical condition, the individual’s ability to perform their role is assessed by a medical officer. Initially, an individual may be placed on a limited duty or role because of the medical conditions or injury, however if it is decided that they are unable to perform their duties to a certain standard, personnel may be medically discharged. This commentary will analyse the numbers of those serving being medically discharged and the most common reasons leading to a medical charge.

A total of 1,963 medical discharges occurred across the Regular Armed Forces in 2023/24, representing approximately 5 personnel being medically discharged daily. Although the numbers being discharged in Royal Navy and RAF were similar to previous years, the numbers discharged within the Army were significantly higher, with a rate of 16 per 1,000 personnel compared to a rate of 11 per 1,000 in 2022/23.

Interestingly, mental and behavioural disorders and musculoskeletal disorders and injuries were two most common principal causes. Mental and behavioural disorders, which include mood disorders such as depression, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and adjustment orders, were present in half of all discharges in the Army in 2023/24.

Mental and behavioural disorders also represented 53% of medical discharges within the RAF and 40% of all medical discharges in the Royal Navy. The increase may suggest that the MoD led anti-stigma campaigns and improving awareness of mental health has improved and led more to seek help for any mental suffering, however this highlights that mental and behavioural disorders and conditions are still prevalent within the UK Regular Armed Forces and further change is needed to ensure that current and ex service personnel are receiving the right support that they need.

Musculoskeletal disorders and injuries broadly cover a wide scope of injuries, with the most common including injuries to the knee, back and foot. This demonstrates the physical demand and intensity of the service that our service personnel endure each day and is represented by the high percentage of those being medically discharged for these injuries. This includes 38% of the medical discharges in the Army, 34% within the Royal Navy and 22% in the RAF. Within the Royal Marines, musculoskeletal disorders and injuries equate to 69% of all medical discharges which only illustrates the physically intensive nature of the roles within this arm of the service.

Lloyd Pike, Solicitor in our Military department, comments:

“The statistics published by the MoD also cover other injuries which lead to medical discharge, to include noise induced hearing loss, cold injury and heat injury, and we know from first-hand experience of assisting our clients about the lasting impact that these injuries have. We hear all too often that many suffer daily with injuries sustained in service; most of which could have been easily prevented with better equipment and training provided by the MOD. This impact is not only physical as many of those who we represent have suffered financially because of their injuries. Many of those who we represent are medically discharged as a result of these injuries and as such, miss out on years of military service and potential promotions. This results in potential significant loss of earnings and loss of pensions for those affected”.

“Many of those injured also suffer on ‘civvy street’, as their injury restricts the type of civilian work they are able to do as a result of the injury and many are disadvantaged in the job market as a result”.

Lloyd continued by adding

“Many other service personnel leave service as a result of these injuries but are not medically discharged. This means that the figures for those leaving the Regular Armed services for noise induced hearing loss, cold injury and heat injury are likely under reported”.

“It is important that we continue to support all current and ex service personnel through their battles with the physical and/or mental injuries in which they are suffering and that they are supported through service and later in civilian life”.