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Written question asked by Keith Simpson (Conservative) on Tuesday, 3 June 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 6 June 2008. It was answered by Bob Ainsworth (Labour) on Thursday, 12 June 2008 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK service personnel have suffered damage to their (a) sight and (b) hearing as a consequence of service in (i) Iraq and (ii) Afghanistan.
Answer

[holding answer 6 June 2008]: The following tables show the numbers of UK service personnel who have attended the Role 2 (Enhanced), or Role 3 field hospital facilities in Iraq and Afghanistan with ophthalmic and ear nose and throat (ENT) conditions. Available records of this type do not separately identify those with only hearing problems.

Ophthalmology
Iraq (March 2003 to December 2007) Afghanistan (April 2006 to December 2007)
Injuries 888 146
Illness 472 34
Total 1,360 180
Ear/nose/throat (ENT)
Iraq (March 2003 to December 2007) Afghanistan (April 2006 to December 2007)
Injuries 104 23
Illness 500 58
Total 604 81

The tables show initial attendances only. The figures were compiled using the Operational Emergency Department Attendance Register (OpEDAR), which records all patients who have attended or been admitted through the A and E department of either a UK Role 2(E) or UK Role 3 operational hospital. OpEDAR is designed to capture diagnosis at the initial assessment, rather than track a patient through their care. It is possible for diagnosis to change over the course of treatment or for a patient to have multiple conditions.These figures have been centrally compiled and there may, therefore, be a small percentage of cases that have not been entered into the reporting system.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
477 c422-3W; 209312
Session
2007-08
Subjects
Iraq Peacekeeping operations Afghanistan
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk