§ 3.12 p.m.
§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
What medical treatment they are offering to sick members of Her Majesty's Armed Forces and others who served in Operation Granby.
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Gilbert)My Lords, healthcare for all serving members of the Armed Forces is provided by the Defence Medical Services. Healthcare for ex-service personnel is the responsibility of the National Health Service.
The Ministry of Defence operates a medical assessment programme for all veterans of the Gulf War which provides a diagnostic assessment of veterans' health. A full report, which includes recommendations for any treatment which is considered by MAP physicians to be appropriate, is sent to the patient's doctor. For serving members of the Armed Forces this is normally their unit medical officer and for ex-service personnel a general practitioner within the NHS.
§ The Countess of MarMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that reply. But is he aware that many GPs who are sent results of tests from the medical assessment programme do not understand them and file them at the back of patients' files? Further, is he aware that one patient of whom I have heard today has been struck off his GP's list because his requirements are too extensive, given the multiple nature of his illness, and that another patient who was referred to Airedale Hospital has been refused funding, despite recommendations from various consultants and the MAP programme, with the result that his parents must dig into their nest egg? Is the Minister aware also of numerous other instances where six years after the Gulf War patients have not received correct medical treatment?
§ Lord GilbertMy Lords, if I correctly understand the supplementary question put by the noble Countess, it appears that her major complaint is against certain practitioners within the NHS. If however representations are made to the Ministry of Defence that the information that is passed on to practitioners is too difficult to understand, I shall invite my right honourable friend in the other place to look into these matters.