HC Deb 17 December 2002 vol 396 cc724-5W
Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which health conditions automatically disqualify applicants for a career in the armed services; what the recruitment criteria are for those with poorer eyesight; whether glasses are permitted as correctional treatment; what proposals there are to change the recruitment criteria so that people with a non-serious or mild asthma condition can have a career in the armed services; and if he will make a statement. [87369]

Dr. Moonie

The principle applying to health conditions is that new entrants must be fit to serve anywhere in the world, in all environments and in locations where medical care may be limited or remote and medical resupply uncertain, or impossible. Many conditions, especially those controlled by medication or other intervention, which may not limit civilian employment are, nonetheless, incompatible with military service.

The following conditions make a person unsuitable for enlistment:

Chest disorders Asthma, wheeze or asthma symptoms (and treatment) during the previous four years. Chronic lung disease (e.g. emphysema, bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis). Active tuberculosis (TB).

Back problems Spinal surgery (including internal fixation or fusion). Recurrent low back pain. Spina bifida.

Bone or joint problems Meniscectomy within the last year. Surgical repair of a knee cruciate ligament. Lower limb fractures with internal fixation still in place. Loss of a limb. Complete loss of a thumb. Total loss of either big toe. Any degree of clubfoot (including past surgery). Chronic joint diseases (e.g. ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout). Reiter's disease in last five years. Osteochondritis dissecans.

Eye disorders Chronic eye diseases (e.g. glaucoma, keratoconus, retinitis pigmentosa). Squint surgery in last six months. Corneal problems (e.g. corneal graft and recurrent corneal ulcers). Loss or dislocation of eye lens. Cataract or cataract surgery. Detached retina.

Ear disorders Presence of eardrum ventilation tubes or grommets. Current perforation of eardrum. Chronic ear diseases (e.g. cholesteatoma).

Abdominal problems Chronic abdominal diseases (e.g. Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis). Kidney disorders (e.g. horseshoe kidney, polycystic kidney disease and kidney stones). Donation of a kidney in last two years. Kidney disease in last two years.

Neurological disorders Epilepsy or more than one seizure/fit after the age of five. Single seizure/fit in the last four years. Multiple sclerosis.

Skin problems Malignant melanoma or skin cancer within last two years. Active skin disease (e.g. eczema and widespread psoriasis).

Pregnancy Current pregnancy or childbirth in the last three months.

Chronic blood disease Sickle cell disease. Congenital spherocytosis. Thalassaemia. HIV seropositivity/AIDS. Carriers of hepatitis B or C. Past history of leukaemia or malignant lymphoma.

Psychiatric problems Schizophrenia. Obsessive-compulsive disorder. Alcohol or drug dependence. Post-traumatic stress disorder.

Other conditions Loss of spleen (splenectomy). Transplanted organs. Severe allergic reactions and/or anaphylaxis requiring adrenaline injection precautions. Nut allergy. Circulation problems (e.g. raynaud's phenomenon or disease). Diabetes. Diseases (e.g. glandular or hormonal) requiring long-term medication or replacement therapy.

This list is not exhaustive. An application may be rejected due to other medical conditions which are subject to the discretion of Service Medical Authorities.

Applicants with vision corrected by glasses or contact lenses are generally acceptable. However, certain trades and professions require more stringent standards. For example, drivers requiring a Type 2 licence have to meet DVLA standards. Higher standards still are applied to pilots and other technical military roles.

As detailed in the list only individuals who have been free of asthma symptoms for a minimum period of four years will be able to join the armed forces. Notwithstanding this, medical entry standards are continuously reviewed against any new developments within medicine with supporting evidence and/or research being considered. Nevertheless, we have no plans to change the present medical entry standards relating to asthma.

The armed forces are responsible employers and aim to meet the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This means that they must ensure that recruits are not put at increased risk of injury or illness during their service due to a pre-existing medical condition.