Military medics have no hot water for months and no showering facilities on and off for years

Some military healthcare professionals working in NHS hospitals have said they have been living without heating or hot water at their base for months and are having to be moved to alternative accommodation.

Dozens of British Army medics who work at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough have said they are expected to work 13-hour shifts at a time, without adequate showering facilities at their paid accommodation, because of broken boilers and outdated heating systems.

There have been reports of intermittent problems with heating and hot water in the medics' accommodation as far back as 2019.

In a post to the 'military banter' website Fill Your Boots, medics based at Marne Barracks in Catterick, North Yorkshire – whose MP is Prime Minister Rishi Sunak – have said they have not had hot water in some areas of their camp for months and the issue of no showering facilities has been happening on and off for years.

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Middlesbrough's James Cook is an NHS regional major trauma centre and is a 32-mile drive from Marne Barracks.

Since the backlash, a senior source at the base has said arrangements are being made for those without showers or heating to be relocated into existing accommodation on site, where hot water is not still an issue.

An anonymous post shared online reads: "A block full of military healthcare professionals have not had hot water or heating for weeks/months and it is not expected to be resolved till the end of the month at the EARLIEST!

"They're expected to work 13-hour shifts in James Cook hospital without any access to hot water.

"The solution to this was to use the camp gym showers which are only available from 8am till 8pm which doesn't facilitate them as they have a 45-minute drive either way to work and leave for clinical shifts at 6am and don’t get back till 9pm.

"On top of that the solution for the no heating was they have been provided six portable heaters for a block of 52 personnel!!!!

"The block has had workmen in but has been left with open roof panels and wires hanging from the ceiling but still no hot water or heating."

The post added: "It's frankly disgusting and unhygienic being made to work clinical shifts in these conditions on top of still paying full-price accommodation fees!"

Many other serving personnel have responded to this latest post online, alleging that some areas of Marne Barracks have been without hot water since 2019 and saying they were told by military bosses to shower at the gym instead.

Some of the medics based at Marne have said they are dealing with highly infectious patients during their shifts, and are left without a place to shower, potentially putting their health and patients' health at risk.

A Ministry of Defence (MOD) spokesperson said: "The wellbeing of our personnel is our top priority and all affected personnel are moving to alternative rooms at Catterick Garrison until the problem is resolved.

"Planned pipework repairs at Marne Barracks is under way and we are working to rectify hot water and heating issues as soon as possible."

Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey said: "The Conservatives are failing in their duty to our Forces, who are living in appalling conditions on the Prime Minister's own patch.

"The standard of accommodation has been consistently low and getting worse under this government yet nothing's changed. These conditions wouldn't be acceptable in civilian life, and they certainly aren't acceptable for serving personnel.

"The government must deliver homes fit for those serving our country."