§ Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will investigate the concerns expressed by Justin Bowen, a Royal Army Medical Corps Private, and Vicky Bowen, a member of the Queen Alexandra Royal Army Nursing Corps, that their son, Scott, has suffered from Gulf War Syndrome symptoms after both parents served in Operation Telic in the Gulf. [153514]
§ Mr. CaplinI am unable to comment on individual cases for reasons of medical confidentiality. However, the Ministry of Defence takes the health concerns of Service and former Service personnel very seriously. I therefore urge any personnel who served on Op TELIC who have concerns about health matters to consult their Service medical officer or general practitioner, who will investigate thoroughly. Service and ex-Service personnel are also entitled to be seen at the Gulf Veterans' Medical Assessment Programme (GVMAP) on referral from their doctor. The GVMAP provides as full a diagnosis as possible to veterans, assesses patients and recommends treatment.
The arrangements for dealing with individual health concerns are complemented by a comprehensive package of research into the health of those returning from Op TELIC, announced on 7 May 2003, Official Report, column 34WS. Scoping studies have been completed and, in March, a questionnaire will be issued to some 7,000 Op TELIC veterans to seek data on health status and exposures.