Written question asked by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 20 April 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 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 what provision is being made for the long-term care of British soldiers returning from Iraq with a traumatic brain injury.

Answer: The Defence Medical Services (DMS) has a range of referral options depending upon the nature of the medical treatment required. The DMS refers Service personnel with complex musculoskeletal or neurological needs requiring hospital care to one of the six Ministry of Defence Hospital Units (MDHUs) embedded within National Health Service (NHS) Trusts, or to a suitable non-MDHU NHS facility if the location and availability of clinical service is more socially convenient and clinically appropriate for the patient than MDHU care.If a traumatic brain injury is detected, the individual will be given appropriate medical treatment, including physical rehabilitation or psychiatric treatment, with the aim of returning them to duty. In serious cases where it becomes apparent that the individual will be unable to remain within the armed forces, personnel will be medically discharged (or demobilized in the case of reservists) and managed through the transition from military to NHS care.

Secondary information