§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to involve the National Regional Poison Centres in the medical assessments of veterans of the Gulf War and their families. [62957]
§ Mr. Doug Henderson[holding answer 9 December 1998]: Physicians at the MOD's Medical Assessment Programme (MAP) conduct a full medical examination, including a standard range of physical tests, on Gulf veterans who are referred there. Additional tests or referrals to other consultants or specialists may be required on a case by case basis. In these circumstances, MAP patients are sent for further tests or referrals according to the clinical judgment of the examining physician. Accordingly, the MAP may make use of the National Poisons Information Service (also known as National Regional Poison Centres) in the medical assessment of Gulf veterans as appropriate but has no plans to do so as a matter of routine.
The MAP was established in July 1993 to examine UK Gulf veterans who were concerned that their health had been adversely affected by service in the Gulf conflict. It is open to all Service personnel and MOD civilians who served in the Gulf region at any time between August 1990 and July 1991. Individuals who worked for contractors providing direct support to UK operations during the Gulf conflict may also attend the MAP. The vast majority of those who have attended the MAP are Gulf veterans themselves. However, where medically appropriate, veterans' partners are also welcome to attend and a small number have done so.