A study into medical wastage of recruits.

The discharge for medical reasons of recruits in the first five months of 1984 was studied. The rate of discharge for medical reasons was found to be 3.3% of the total intake for the same period. Many recruits were discharged without appearing before a medical board. The number of medically discharged recruits represents 12.4% of the total discharges for all reasons. The conditions giving rise to discharge were investigated and it was found that most were related to lower limb problems, particularly patellofemoral pain. Suggestions are made as to ways of decreasing the medical wastage, but it is thought to be unlikely that much impact would be made on the low rate of 3.3%.