Speaking at St Thomas' Hospital in London, Veterans Minister Derek Twigg announced that the Medical Assessment Programme (MAP) will now offer a mental health consultancy programme for all veterans who have seen military service since 1982; this includes those who fought in the Falklands Campaign 25 years ago.
The mental health assessment will cover those veterans who are worried that they may have a Service-related mental health problem that is not fully understood within the NHS.
Today's announcement also sees the MAP extended to offer general medical examination and mental health assessement to veterans with operational service in Afghanistan.
Veterans Minister Derek Twigg said:
"I am delighted to be able to announce that we are opening up the Medical Assessment Programme at St Thomas' Hospital to a larger group of veterans. This is designed to help address Service related mental health issues amongst veterans. I hope our former Service personnel make use of this excellent programme if they or their GP have any concerns that they are suffering from a medical condition linked to their military service.
"As Veterans Minister, I take the welfare of our former Service personnel very seriously, and I am always looking at how we can improve the support available when they leave the Armed Forces."
The MAP was originally set up in July 1993 to examine UK Gulf veterans who were concerned that their health had been adversely affected by service in the 1990/1991 Gulf Conflict.
In recent years the programme has been extended to include Porton Down Volunteers and those who have served in the current operations in Iraq.
The purpose of MAP is to investigate veterans' concerns with a view to providing diagnosis and recommending appropriate treatment options. The examination and clinical tests at the MAP are provided to the patient free of charge. The MOD will also meet the costs of any further tests recommended by the MAP physician.
The MAP is currently staffed by Dr Ian Palmer, an ex-serving military medical officer. A qualified GP and Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Palmer is able to conduct both physical and mental health assessment on site.
Veterans who are concerned that they may be suffering from a medical condition linked to their military service should seek advice from their GP or local NHS Trust who will then refer them to the MAP if appropriate.
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