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Fighting fit: the new rehabilitation centre for Royal Marines

Injured recruits have access to a whole range of equipment as part of their rehabilitation Photo: ITV Westcountry

The Royal Navy has unveiled its first dedicated centre for treating Royal Marine recruits injured in training. They go through one of the toughest schemes in the world before they are awarded their Green Berets.

They are occasionally injured and the new facility at Parker Hall in Lympstone has been designed to get them fighting fit as soon as possible.

The new unit cost £3 million - that's not including £121,000 for all the specialist equipment Credit: Royal Navy

The £3 million centre is the Navy's only purpose-built unit for rehabilitating injured recruits, which is separate to its care of Marines hurt on operations. It was opened this morning by Fleet Commander Admiral Sir George Zambellas

The Parker Hall rehabilitation centre reflects the Naval Service’s commitment – alongside our partners in the Public Services Apprenticeship Scheme - to getting our high quality people into the front line as effectively as possible. The Commando training which Royal Marines undertake at Lympstone is the best in the world, but it is also incredibly tough and makes strenuous demands on our recruits.

At Parker Hall, those who have been injured in the course of their training have the specialist facilities they deserve to get them back on track in achieving the goal to which they all aspire – the award of the coveted Green Beret. I want to thank everyone who has worked so hard to make Parker Hall a reality.

– Fleet Commander Admiral Sir George Zambellas
Instructors are at hand in the consultation bays to offer help and advice Credit: Royal Navy

Parker Hall has in-house physiotherapy and consultation bays with remedial instructors on hand. Other indoor services include a matted exercise area, cardio-vascular and weights equipment area and a reduced-impact surface running-track.

It is hoped that the Royal Marines will retain more of their recruits and reduce the drop-out rate and medical discharge due to injury. This makes the training more efficient and provides a more reliable supply of Royal Marines for eventual combat duties.

Parker Hall is named after L Cpl W R Parker who showed conspicuous bravery in rescuing wounded comrades in Gallipoli in 1915 Credit: Royal Navy

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