Written question asked by Andrew Murrison (Conservative) on Thursday, 30 October 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 3 November 2008. It was answered by Lord Beamish (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 November 2008 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Armed Forces: Health Services

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what evidence he has evaluated on the efficacy of decompression in the prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder;

Answer: The decompression process is designed to be a brief ‘wind-down’ period for troops returning from operational theatres, and is aimed at facilitating the adjustment from the operational to the UK environment. It is not intended that it should play a major role in the prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is a chronic disabling illness distinct to the more short-term adjustment issues that we can expect individuals to encounter in making the change from the operational to the home/family/non-operational environment.However, if during the process an individual demonstrates any indicators of possible mental health problems, then appropriate follow-up action will be taken.The King’s Centre for Military Health Research is currently undertaking research into the merits of decompression, the results of which will be published on completion.

Secondary information