Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many beds on RFA Argus are in use; and how many patients have been treated on board that ship since her arrival in Sierra Leone.

The role of RFA Argus is to provide both a logistical and a medical evacuation capability. This logistical support is provided by three Merlin helicopters embarked on board and a riverine capability to enable Royal Marines to deploy in support of UK operations. The ship also forms part of the wider provision of non-Ebola medical care for primarily UK military and HMG personnel.

In its current configuration RFA Argus has ten Ward beds and two Intensive Therapy Unit beds in the facility on board. In addition there are two Trauma/Emergency Department beds and one further bed in the operating theatre, making an overall total of 15. As at 6 January 2015 only one bed is currently occupied. However, a further 12 patients have been admitted to, and treated in, the facility since its arrival in Sierra Leone. Two others were treated in the Emergency Department and discharged.