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Written question asked by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 3 November 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 9 November 1999. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 November 1999 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many members of HM armed forces who were in active service during the Gulf War are known to be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. - Includes figures and fact that MOD does not keep a central record of all diagnoses made on currently serving personnel and Minister will write.
Answer

Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of HM armed forces who were in active service during the Gulf War are known to be suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. [97635] Mr. Spellar: The MOD holds information on those Gulf veterans who were referred by their Service Medical Officer or GP for assessment at the MOD's Gulf Veterans Medical Assessment Programme (MAP). Since its establishment in October 1993 and up to 4 November 1999, the MAP has seen 2,893 patients. Of these, 2,283 have had their clinical findings recorded on the MAP database. Of the 2,283, 214 Gulf veterans have a recorded diagnosis of PTSD confirmed by a consultant psychiatrist. Of the 214 patients, the number still suffering from PTSD is not known since the MAP does not routinely monitor their health status nor is it responsible for providing treatment. As the veterans assessed by the programme were all self-selected, these figures cannot be used to determine the extent of PTSD in Gulf veterans as a whole. I will write to the right hon. and learned Gentlemen with information on the prevalence of PTSD in the remaining MAP patients who were seen up to 4 November once their medical notes have been reviewed and catalogued. However, the MOD does not keep a central record of all diagnoses made on currently serving personnel. Responsibility for the health of ex-service personnel, if resident in the UK, lies with the NHS which similarly does not keep a central record on all diagnoses. Neither does the NHS routinely communicate diagnostic information to the MOD. No arrangements are in place to monitor the health of ex-service personnel living overseas. Therefore, the total number of service people on active service in 1990-91 or of Gulf veterans suffering from PTSD is not known.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
97635; 337 c493W
Session
1998-99
Subjects
Diagnosis Iraq-Kuwait conflict Medical examinations Post-traumatic stress disorder Veterans
Contains statistics
Yes