Better communication between Ministry of Defence and GPs needed to help veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, says Assembly committee
9 February 2011
The service histories of armed forces veterans must be logged in their medical records so that those who suffer with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be diagnosed quickly and correctly, according to a report from the National Assembly for Wales’s Health, Wellbeing and Local Government Committee.
The report from the Cross-Party group of AMs states that gaps in veterans’ medical notes caused by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) failing to disclose information are resulting in many veterans with PTSD being misdiagnosed by GPs.
The Committee’s inquiry found that ex-service patients suffering from PTSD are often not asked the right questions by healthcare professionals because crucial pieces of information are missing from their files.
The report states that, although defence organisations consider these notes to be confidential, proper provision of them could significantly speed up the diagnosis of PTSD.
It calls on the Welsh Government to work with the MoD to ensure that this information is transferred, with an opt-out system for veterans who request one.
The report also highlights the prevalence of substance misuse amongst veterans and the incidence of this and PTSD co-occurring. It recommends that the Welsh Government ensures that veterans with PTSD also have timely access to substance misuse treatment.
The Committee welcomes the Welsh Government’s new Mental Health and Wellbeing Service, which offers tailored services to veterans, but outlines concern that it is funded on an area’s population rather than the number of people needing services.
Other recommendations of the report include the need for more awareness-raising of PTSD for veterans and families, the need to ensure that ex-service prisoners are able to fully benefit from services, and the need for more funding for voluntary ‘veterans supporting veterans’ groups.
Committee Chair, Jonathan Morgan AM, said: “As a number of witnesses pointed out during this inquiry, the increasing engagement of the UK armed forces in international conflicts is likely to result in increased prevalence of PTSD in the future.
“It is therefore of pivotal importance that the effective identification and treatment of PTSD is commonplace. We call on the Welsh Government to encourage better communication between defence and health bodies, and for better utilisation of the voluntary sector.
“While we accept that the Welsh Government is taking positive steps to improve these services in Wales - such as establishing a new Mental Health and Wellbeing Service for Veterans - there are still areas of real concern that must be addressed so that, should they ever need it, the individuals who put their lives on the line for their country can be served by a progressive and effective agenda.”