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Ministry of Defence

Answer

Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the referrals of the Gulf war veterans to Dr. Kocen at Queen's Square hospital for nervous disorders. [14157] Mr. Soames: Following the disclosure that organophosphate pesticides had been used more widely in the Gulf than previously thought, ten patients whose case histories suggested that they could have, or had, been exposed to pesticides were invited to return to the medical assessment programme--MAP for a further assessment and a subsequent examination by Dr. Kocen at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. Six of these patients have either declined the invitation or failed to attend the MAP; all of these have been offered second appointments. Two patients have been seen by the MAP and by Dr. Kocen. One patient has been seen by the MAP and referred to Dr. Kocen; this patient did not attend for his first appointment with Dr. Kocen and cancelled his second appointment. The remaining patient has been given an appointment for the MAP on 10 February. Another 44 veterans, who display certain symptoms which could be consistent with OP pesticide exposure but where there is no indication of exposure, have also been invited to re-attend the MAP, and if clinically appropriate, they will be referred to Dr. Kocen. These patients have all been offered appointments in February or March except for two patients who have been given appointments in April at their request. Three patients have already been seen by the MAP and one has been referred to Dr. Kocen; the other two did not require further neurological referral.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

14157; 290 c6W

Session

1996-97

Subjects

Armed forces Armed conflict Casualties Doctors Iraq-Kuwait conflict Medical treatments Pesticides Gulf War syndrome Organophosphates