Written question asked by Justine Greening (Conservative) on Wednesday, 15 February 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 27 February 2006. It was answered by Lord Touhig (Labour) on Monday, 27 February 2006 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many mental health (a) professionals, (b) beds and (c) other facilities his Department has in place in Iraq to identify and treat service personnel with post traumatic stress disorder and related conditions; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: A mental health team is based at the United Kingdom Shaibah Logistics base which is currently staffed by two community psychiatric nurses.In addition, there is a programme of visits to theatre by a consultant psychiatrist. These are undertaken primarily for clinical governance purposes, but the visiting consultant will also provide advice on particular patients as required.The UK Field hospital in Shaibah has a total number of 50 beds. These are not designated for the treatment of specific conditions and are available for personnel with mental health problems should they be required.If further advice or treatment is required that cannot be provided in theatre, the patient will be aeromedically evacuated out of Iraq for treatment in the UK or at UK defence community mental health centres in Cyprus, Germany and Gibraltar.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 53796; 443 c28-9W;443 c28-9W
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Armed forces Iraq Mental health services Mental health Post-traumatic stress disorder
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk