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Medical Assessment Programme

Gulf Veterans’ Medical Assessment Programme
The Baird Medical Centre
Gassiot House
St Thomas’ Hospital
Lambeth Palace Road
London
SE1 7EH

Tel: 020 7202 8322
Fax: 020 7202 8327

Freephone 0800 169 5401

THE GULF VETERANS' MEDICAL ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME

FACTSHEET


The Gulf Veterans' Medical Assessment Programme (GVMAP) was established in July 1993 to examine UK Gulf veterans who are concerned that their health had been adversely affected by service during the 1990/1991 Gulf Conflict - Operation GRANBY.  The GVMAP is now also open to any Op TELIC veteran. The GVMAP is located at St Thomas' Hospital, London.

The GVMAP aims to provide an approachable service offering prompt and comprehensive medical advice to Gulf veterans and to General Practitioners (GPs), Service Medical Officers and other health care professionals responsible for looking after Gulf veterans.

* What is the purpose of the Programme?

The GVMAP has two main purposes.  First, it aims to provide the patient with a diagnosis of his or her medical condition, and to recommend appropriate treatment or further investigation, or to provide reassurance if no abnormalities are found.  Secondly, the GVMAP gathers statistical information which will be available as a resource for researchers and may be useful in helping to determine whether there are any particular patterns of ill health associated with service in the Gulf. All the information provided is handled in accordance with the principles of medical confidentiality and relevant legislation.

*  Who is entitled to go to the GVMAP?

The GVMAP is open to present and former Service personnel or MOD civilians who served in the Gulf in either the 1990/1991 conflict or on Operation TELIC. Also anyone who did not serve in the Gulf but who believe that their health has suffered as a direct result of either Gulf Conflict can be seen. Individuals who worked for contractors providing direct support to UK operations during the 1990/1991Gulf Conflict may also apply, but the programme is not intended to cover other UK citizens who may have been in the Gulf region at the time or, except in very exceptional circumstances, family members of Gulf veterans.

*  I am still serving in the Armed Forces – how can I be seen at GVMAP?

If you have concerns about your health, which you think could be related to the Gulf Conflict, you should first contact your Service Medical Officer who will refer you to the GVMAP if necessary.

* I am a civilian/I have left the Forces - how can I be seen at the GVMAP?

If you have concerns about your health, which you think could be related to the Gulf conflict, you should first consult your GP. Your GP  may already have received a copy of the Gulf Veterans' Illnesses: Information Pack which aims to provide GPs and other health professionals with information which they may find useful in dealing with Gulf veterans' health concerns and which includes details about the GVMAP.  Copies of the pack were sent to all GPs in the United Kingdom in February 2001.  Additional copies of the pack can be obtained from the Veterans Policy Unit Gulf Veterans' Illnesses (VPU GVI) (address and telephone number at the end of this leaflet).  The pack is also available on the Internet at the Gulf Veterans’ Illnesses web page www.gulfwar.mod.uk.

If, after discussing your symptoms with your GP, you think that referral to the GVMAP is appropriate, you should ask your GP to refer you with appropriate details of your past medical history, present health problems and any treatment that you are currently having, together with information on the Service in which you served, and your former service number if known.  Your GP should write to the Head of the GVMAP at the address at the head of this leaflet.

* Does the GVMAP see everyone referred to them?

No.  For a very small number of patients referred, there is nothing to be gained from them being seen at the GVMAP – for example, because it is clear that their condition is being appropriately managed or they have been seen before and nothing new would be gained by a further visit – and so the physician at the GVMAP does not automatically see everyone referred. When a decision is taken not to see a patient, the referring doctor is told why and given a brief update about Gulf health issues.  If the physician at GVMAP decides not to see you this does not preclude him from seeing you at a later date if circumstances change.

*  What happens if I am seen at the GVMAP?

You will be seen by a Consultant Physician who will first discuss your Service and medical history and then conduct a physical examination. A range of standard tests are conducted and arrangements made for any other tests which are clinically indicated.

*  What tests are undertaken?

The standard tests undertaken during the assessment include urinalysis, haematological, biochemical, virological and serological tests, ultrasound scan of the abdomen and electrocardiography.   These tests are carried out on the day of appointment and take approximately 4 hours.  Additional investigations and/or referral to other consultants/specialists may be required; this will be decided either during the initial appointment or in the light of further investigations. A report setting out the results of all the tests undertaken is sent to the doctor who referred you to the GVMAP (either your GP or your Service Medical Officer).

*  Will you test me for the presence of depleted uranium?

GVMAP do not test for the presence of depleted uranium. However the MOD has decided to make a voluntary screening test for depleted uranium available to Gulf veterans, present and former service personnel who served in the Balkans and to civilians who served in the Gulf and Balkans operations and who worked for UK government departments, voluntary agencies and contractors employed to support UK forces in those theatres of operation.  An independent Depleted Uranium Oversight Board has been  established to ensure that the arrangements that are put in place are technically well founded and properly validated. Further information is available on the internet at www.modk/issues/depleted_uranium;  at the Depleted Uranium Oversight Board's website at www.duob.org.uk and from the VPU GVI whose address and telephone numbers are at the end of this leaflet.

*  What about Psychological assessment?

The ill health of some  patients seen at the GVMAP has a psychiatric element and, in recognition of this, we will make arrangements to refer patients to selected specialist psychiatrists around the country if appropriate.

*  What if treatment is required?

The GVMAP does not provide treatment; its role is to assess patients and recommend treatment if appropriate.  Any recommendations for treatment will be passed to the patient's referring GP or Service Medical Officer. It will then be for the individual’s GP or Service Medical Officer to arrange subsequent treatment and to monitor the patient's health as he or she would for any other patient. Automatic follow-up enquiries are made by the GVMAP to check on the progress of any recommendations for treatment.

*  How long does it take to get an appointment?

Our aim is that, unless the physician at GVMAP decides that an appointment is not appropriate, patients referred to the GVMAP will be sent an appointment letter within 5 days; and that, as far as possible, the date of the appointment will be within 6 weeks of referral, provided that this is convenient to the patient. If you cannot attend on the date shown, please let us know as soon as possible and we will rearrange your appointment.

*  What about the costs of travel and accommodation?

The costs of travel to the GVMAP (within the UK), and accommodation where necessary, will be met by MOD.

If you are still serving in the Armed Forces: please make your own arrangements for travel and accommodation and submit claims in accordance with normal Service rules.

If you are a civilian, or have left the Armed Forces, please telephone the Veterans Policy Unit Gulf Veterans Illnesses (VPU GVI) on Freephone 0800 169 5401 at least three weeks before the date of your appointment to discuss your travel and accommodation requirements.

MOD will provide warrants for standard class travel by rail – or air tickets, if appropriate.  Alternatively, those who live in Northern Ireland may obtain an air ticket from the Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmans' Families Association on 028 9032 7740.  If you incur additional travel costs during your journey, such as travel to your nearest rail station or London Underground tickets please apply to the GVIU (address at the end of this leaflet) for reimbursement providing tickets or receipts. MOD will also reimburse up to £10 for a snack or light lunch; again, receipts should be provided.

If the length of your journey prevents a return trip within a single day, we will arrange accommodation for you. The cost of your stay, including an evening meal (at your accommodation), bed and breakfast, will be paid by MOD.  Please do not arrange your own accommodation; we cannot guarantee full reimbursement if you do so.

If you have any special requirements resulting from your medical condition, (for example, if you need a carer to accompany you) please notify the VPU GVI in writing beforehand and provide supporting evidence, such as a note from your GP.  If there are any other expenses not mentioned above which you believe that you will have to incur in connection with your visit to the GVMAP, please consult the VPU GVI before doing so.

* Can I have a second appointment at GVMAP?

Yes.  If for any reason you think that a further referral is appropriate you can ask your GP or Service Medical Officer to refer you to GVMAP in the normal way. If your GP or Service Medical Officer decides to refer you the GVMAP physician will consider if another appointment is appropriate. There is no limit to the number of times a patient can be seen.

*  Why do ex-Service personnel and civilians have to go through their GP?

Your GP has primary responsibility for your health care and holds your health records.  There may be something within those records that is relevant to the consultant physician at the GVMAP. Furthermore, if the GVMAP physician recommends further investigations or treatment, it is for your GP to consider and make the arrangements if he or she feels that there is justification. 

*  Why is everything done at a location that is not convenient for me?

The GVMAP 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 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.

However, in order to improve our service to some Gulf veterans, who find travelling to London difficult or inconvenient, the GVMAP physician holds  a clinic  at Northallerton, North Yorkshire every two months.  GVMAP offer patients who might find the Northallerton clinic convenient the choice between an appointment at Northallerton or one in London.

Rarely, special arrangements can be made for individual veterans who are unable to travel either to London or to Northallerton.

*  What about the wages I will lose while attending the  GVMAP?

MOD cannot meet claims for loss of earnings when attending the GVMAP for examination.  However, as the examination is a medical appointment, many employers will allow paid sick leave for the purpose.  Should MOD accept a Gulf veteran’s common law compensation claim, any loss of wages may form part of a schedule of special damages.

* Can I have a copy of my medical assessment report?

Yes. Under the Data Protection Act 1998 you have the right of access (with certain limitations) to your medical records. A copy of your GVMAP report will be sent to your GP or Service Medical Officer, but if you want a copy this will be provided free of charge upon receipt of a written request.  This may be provided on the day of attendance at GVMAP.

*  Has MOD already made up its mind that there are no Gulf related illnesses?

No.  We recognise that some Gulf veterans have become ill.  In some there is a clear link with service in the Gulf; in others however, there is currently no clear medical or scientific evidence to link their ill health with participation in the Gulf conflict.  We maintain an open mind on this question, pending the results of the research which is in progress.

*  What research is MOD doing into Gulf veterans’ illnesses?

The GVMAP is committed to investigating the causes of individual Gulf veterans’ health problems. The MOD has commissioned several research studies, involving many thousands of participants. These studies have compared the health of Gulf veterans with others who did not go to the Gulf. Other research is looking at the possible interactions between the vaccines and tablets given to UK personnel to protect them against attack from chemical and biological weapons. Details are on the Gulf Veterans’ Illnesses web page www.mod.uk/issues/gulfwar/index.html

* Can veterans claim a war pension for illnesses related to Gulf Service?

Ex-Service personnel who believe that that they have an illness or disability that is the result of, or made worse by, military service (including service in the Gulf) should make a claim for a War Disablement Pension once they have left the Armed Forces. Further advice about war pensions can be obtained by calling the Veterans Agency’s Helpline on 0800 169 2277, or by e-mail: help@veteransagency.gsi.gov.uk, and is available on the Internet at: www.veteransagency.mod.uk.  Having an examination at the GVMAP is not the same as making a claim for a War Disablement Pension. The Veterans Agency does not refer claimants to the GVMAP or advise or require them to attend in connection with their claim. If however a person claiming a war pension has already attended the GVMAP the Veterans Agency will ask that person for their written permission to obtain the medical reports from their examination. GVMAP reports can often assist the Veterans Agency in making a decision.

If you require more information, or you are unsure about what to do, you should contact the GVMAP (address and telephone number at the head of this leaflet), the VPU GVI (at the address below), or visit our website at www.mod.uk/issues/gulfwar/index.html

Veterans Policy Unit Gulf Veterans’ Illnesses
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

7th floor, Zone A, St George's Court
2-12 Bloomsbury Way
London WC1A 2SH.

Telephone 020 7305 2375 or Freephone 0800 169 4495 (General Enquiries)

Telephone 020 7305 2421 (GVMAP Enquiries)

Fax 020 7305 2374

 

Gulf Veterans’ Medical Assessment Programme

March 2004

 

Last Updated: 17 May 05