The armed forces rehabilitation centre, Headley Court, is to get an extra £24m to improve facilities for injured servicemen and women.
The armed forces rehabilitation centre, Headley Court, is to get an extra £24m to improve facilities for injured servicemen and women.
Defence Secretary Des Browne is expected to confirm the investment when he visits the unit in Surrey later.
Defence Secretary Des Browne is expected to confirm the investment when he visits the unit in Surrey later.
It will help build an accommodation block, a bigger prosthetic limb workshop and a neurological lab.
It will help build an accommodation block, a bigger prosthetic limb workshop and a neurological lab.
The facility, which looks after 180 patients, cares for those injured in conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The facility, which looks after 180 patients, cares for those injured in conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
During the last three years, the Defence Medical Services Rehabilitation Centre, near Leatherhead, has increased the number of beds available for "complex trauma" patients from 18 to 66.
During the last three years, the Defence Medical Services Rehabilitation Centre, near Leatherhead, has increased the number of beds available for "complex trauma" patients from 18 to 66.
It also has one of the country's most advanced prosthetic workshops, dealing with 50 patients who have lost limbs since opening in June 2006.
It also has one of the country's most advanced prosthetic workshops, dealing with 50 patients who have lost limbs since opening in June 2006.
Amputee treatment
Amputee treatment
Among those being treated at the facility is Anthony Makin, 21, from Benwell, Newcastle, who is due to return to front line service after losing his leg in a roadside bombing in Afghanistan.
Among those being treated at the facility is Anthony Makin, 21, from Benwell, Newcastle, who is due to return to front line service after losing his leg in a roadside bombing in Afghanistan.
The commando is believed to be just the second amputee to return to active duty. This award is now the government playing catch-up Diane DernieMother of wounded soldier
The commando is believed to be just the second amputee to return to active duty. This award is now the government playing catch-up Diane DernieMother of wounded soldier
After having his right leg amputated below the knee, being fitted with a prosthetic limb and sent for rehabilitation at Headley Court, he has returned to 3 Commando Brigade of 29 Commando Royal Artillery with a promotion to Lance Bombardier.
After having his right leg amputated below the knee, being fitted with a prosthetic limb and sent for rehabilitation at Headley Court, he has returned to 3 Commando Brigade of 29 Commando Royal Artillery with a promotion to Lance Bombardier.
He expects to serve with his regiment on their next tour of duty in October.
He expects to serve with his regiment on their next tour of duty in October.
Mr Browne said it was such cases that proved the "important role" military rehabilitative health services played in the lives of service personnel.
Mr Browne said it was such cases that proved the "important role" military rehabilitative health services played in the lives of service personnel.
The £24m of additional investment would ensure the reputation of the centre was retained so that it could treat others like Lance Bombardier Makin, he said.
The £24m of additional investment would ensure the reputation of the centre was retained so that it could treat others like Lance Bombardier Makin, he said.
"He is a fine example of the bravery and selfless commitment the British armed forces demonstrate daily.
"He is a fine example of the bravery and selfless commitment the British armed forces demonstrate daily.
"His personal battle to overcome his injuries is outstanding and it is clear that the treatment he received from the staff at Headley Court has been first-class, enabling him to carry on with the job he loves, and does so well."
"His personal battle to overcome his injuries is outstanding and it is clear that the treatment he received from the staff at Headley Court has been first-class, enabling him to carry on with the job he loves, and does so well."
But Diane Dernie, whose son Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson was severely wounded in Afghanistan, told the BBC that the decision to award funding now was an example of Britain's "woeful state of unpreparedness" for the consequences of going to war.Princes William and Harry visited the centre last month
But Diane Dernie, whose son Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson was severely wounded in Afghanistan, told the BBC that the decision to award funding now was an example of Britain's "woeful state of unpreparedness" for the consequences of going to war.Princes William and Harry visited the centre last month
"While Headley Court is punching way above its weight - it's achieving miracles - this award is now the government playing catch-up and trying to provide the facilities that should have been there before we embarked on this course of action," she said.
"While Headley Court is punching way above its weight - it's achieving miracles - this award is now the government playing catch-up and trying to provide the facilities that should have been there before we embarked on this course of action," she said.
The charity Help for Heroes led the campaign to increase funding for Headley Court.
The charity Help for Heroes led the campaign to increase funding for Headley Court.
Founder Bryn Parry told the BBC: "It's an amazing place. At the moment it's a bit run-down because of the number of people going through it, but with this new money I think they'll bring it up to a wonderful standard.
Founder Bryn Parry told the BBC: "It's an amazing place. At the moment it's a bit run-down because of the number of people going through it, but with this new money I think they'll bring it up to a wonderful standard.
"The whole ethos - the sense of humour, the feeling of push, the guys getting back - is just wonderful, and when you go there you can't help but be quite humbled by what they are going through."
"The whole ethos - the sense of humour, the feeling of push, the guys getting back - is just wonderful, and when you go there you can't help but be quite humbled by what they are going through."
The centre at Headley Court began its work after World War II for RAF personnel, but in 1996 became the main UK military rehabilitation centre for all three armed forces.
The centre at Headley Court began its work after World War II for RAF personnel, but in 1996 became the main UK military rehabilitation centre for all three armed forces.
The site provides consultants, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, social workers, a psychologist and a cognitive therapist.
The site provides consultants, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, social workers, a psychologist and a cognitive therapist.
Princes William and Harry met patients at the facility on a visit last month.
Princes William and Harry met patients at the facility on a visit last month.
During the tour, Harry was reunited with one of the injured servicemen who shared his return flight from his tour of duty in Afghanistan.
During the tour, Harry was reunited with one of the injured servicemen who shared his return flight from his tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Marine Ben McBean, 21, lost an arm and a leg when a mine exploded during a patrol in the country, and he was flown back to the UK for medical treatment at the same time as the prince left the country.
Marine Ben McBean, 21, lost an arm and a leg when a mine exploded during a patrol in the country, and he was flown back to the UK for medical treatment at the same time as the prince left the country.
Have you had experience of the Headley Court rehabilitation centre? Send us your comments
