§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will create regional centres at which sick Gulf War veterans can be assessed and treated. [HL1805]
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Gilbert)The Ministry of Defence, MoD, provides free clinical assessments for Gulf veterans at the Medical Assessment Programme, MAP, which is based at St. Thomas' Hospital in London and, if required, pays for travel and accommodation for Gulf veterans when they attend the programme.
The programme is based in central London because London is well served by rail and air links to all parts of the country. There are good medical reasons for using a single location with access to a wide range of facilities, as this enables interdepartmental referrals and laboratory or medical tests to take place without undue delay.
MoD has no plans at present to create regional centres for the assessment and treatment of Gulf veterans. However, all aspects of the work to address Gulf veterans' health concerns are kept under review and it is our intention later this year to commission an independent clinical audit which will address all aspects of the service provided by the MAP.
Treatment for Gulf veterans is not provided by the MAP. Treatment is provided either through the Defence Medical Services, for veterans who are still serving, or through the NHS, under the care of a GP, for those veterans who have left the Services.