HC Deb 14 February 2003 vol 400 c140W
Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements are in place for the accurate keeping of medical records of military personnel deployed to the middle east; and what progress has been made in introducing a Smart Military Dog-Tag. [93369]

Dr. Moonie

It is Ministry of Defence policy that all treatments and vaccinations given to armed forces personnel are to be recorded on their personal medical records. Service personnel are issued with form F Med 965, the Operational Medical Record, prior to deployment and any treatment or medication administered while they are deployed should be recorded on it. The information is transferred to their personal medical records on return to their home base. In addition, electronic medical record systems are used in theatre where practicable. Although the MOD continues to examine the possible use of "smart card" technology to store medical and other personal information, as yet there are no systems available that fully meet the requirements of the armed forces.