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Written question asked by Ian Gibson (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 April 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 April 2006. It was answered by Lord Reid of Cardowan (Labour) on Tuesday, 2 May 2006 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Iraq

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 2 February 2006, Official Report, columns 704–05W, on Iraq, how many soldiers treated following service in Iraq had (a) physical injuries and (b) a mental illness.
Answer

Between January 2003 and December 2005 inclusive, 1,551 UK service personnel who had served in Iraq on Operation Telic were subsequently assessed by the Defence medical services as suffering from a mental health disorder. This represents around 1.5 per cent. of total UK service personnel deployed to the region during the same period. Of those 1,551 personnel, 208 were assessed as suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. A further 696 personnel were diagnosed with an adjustment disorder, which will include some who have post traumatic symptoms not amounting to full PTSD but with some symptoms of post traumatic stress. Other personnel were diagnosed with a range of other mental health conditions, including mood and neurotic disorders, and psychoactive substance misuse.Figures on the total number of personnel treated following service in Iraq for physical injuries sustained in theatre are not collated centrally. Nor is it possible, for example, to break down the medical evacuation figure given in my previous answer of 2 February 2006, Official Report, column 704–05W, because the database which records the data does not contain information on treatment received after evacuation. Complete information on medical treatment could only be compiled from personal medical records which are held by individual unit commands. These can only be viewed for non-clinical reasons with the express consent of the individual concerned, to protect patient confidentiality. I cannot therefore give a figure for the total number of personnel treated following service in Iraq for physical injuries sustained in theatre.You may wish to note that an update of the figures I provided in my answer of 2 February 2006 has been published on the MOD website at: http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/OperationsInIraqBritishCasualties.htm.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
64653; 445 c1350W;445 c1350W
Session
2005-06
Subjects
Iraq Peacekeeping operations
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk