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Iraq: Incapacitated Veterans

Answer

The Ministry of Defence takes the medical treatment of its Armed Forces very seriously, and the care we provide is intended to encompass the whole course of their treatment, from the point of injury to eventual discharge from medical care. Mobilised reservists are entitled to receive the same treatment as regular personnel. Appropriate medical support is provided in-theatre when personnel are on deployment, and a range of establishments in the UK are able to offer further specialised treatment as required. As well as the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM) within the University Hospital Birmingham Foundation Trust (UHBFT) at Selly Oak, there are a further six Ministry of Defence Hospital Units (MDHUs) located within NHS hospitals across the country, enabling military patients there to obtain the high standards of treatment available in the NHS hospital, and allowing the Defence Medical Services to take advantage of NHS expertise. We also have 15 Regional Rehabilitation Units (RRUs) in the UK and Germany to provide assessment and treatment of musculo-skeletal disorders. Patients are referred from unit medical facilities where the simpler injuries would be diagnosed and treated. A Multidisciplinary Injury Assessment Clinic (MIAC) team within each RRU is responsible for providing an assessment and diagnostic service. The MIAC has rapid access to MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scanning or other imaging if required. It then determines the most appropriate rehabilitation plan for the patient. This includes rapid access to orthopaedic surgery when clinically indicated, with every patient having a post-operative rehabilitation plan before surgery. Where appropriate, personnel may be referred for further treatment to the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) at Headley Court, which provides high-quality medical care, rehabilitation, prosthetics and adaptations for service personnel. The MoD is also committed to providing appropriate healthcare to those servicemen and women suffering from mental health problems. This is based on a community-based approach so as to ensure that personnel have better, more timely and more convenient access to mental healthcare. To meet this commitment we have 15 Defence Community Mental Health teams across the UK, plus other satellite centres overseas. In-patient care, if required, is provided by the Priory Group. In addition to this, while personnel are in theatre, we provide appropriate levels of support from trained mental health staff either based in the UK or in theatre. The MoD is also working on a number of further initiatives, relating for example to the prevention and management of problems arising from operational stress and to the need to address issues of stigma and discrimination. We have work in hand to ensure that those leaving the services can recognise the signs of stress and know where to go for help. The MoD also has the discretion to meet the costs of treatment related to injuries of illnesses for which a war pension is paid, but not where that treatment is provided free under the UK legislation, such as through the NHS. In 2004–05, the charity Combat Stress received £2.8 million in respect of such treatment. Although I cannot comment on the individual case of Corporal Corrigan for reasons of medical confidentiality, I can confirm that his claims about the circumstances surrounding his treatment have been the subject of full investigations, and the MoD continues to be in regular contact with him, to ensure that he receives the full benefits to which he is entitled.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

4911; 680 c184-5WA

Session

2005-06

Related items

Iraq: Veterans
Monday, 8 May 2006
Written questions
House of Lords

Subjects

Armed conflict Casualties Iraq Medical treatments Iraq conflict Veterans Corrigan, David

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk