WAR PENSIONS AGENCY BUSINESS PLAN 1999-2000
Medical Policy
23. The nature of the War Pensions Scheme is
such that interpretation of medical opinion is of the utmost importance.
Claims can be made for any disablement and awards are made where
there is a causal link to service.[76]
The DSS's Medical Policy Division plays an important role in ensuring
that decisions are medically sound and as far as possible reflect
generally accepted medical understanding of conditions.[77]
There has been a degree of controversy over some of these decisions
in recent years. In particular, decisions in respect of Noise
Induced Sensorineural Hearing Loss and claims resulting from service
in the Gulf War have caused public controversy.[78]
The War Pensions Agency memoranda helpfully outlined the basis
of these decisions.[79]
In the public evidence session Dr Braidwood, the Medical Policy
Manager for war pensions, clarified the medical basis of the current
practice.[80]
24. It is important that the Department is seen to
be acting fairly in the medical decisions that it reaches. We
were pleased to hear that the Government remains open to further
medical evidence.[81]
The Agency's supplementary memorandum stressed that developments
in medical opinion are closely followed:
"The medical policy
adviser is in routine close contact with medical and scientific
colleagues throughout the Department, in other Government departments
and academic institutions in the UK and overseas. There is communication
with doctors in the United States Department of Defense and Veterans'
Affairs Departments in the United States, Canada and Australian
Repatriation Medical Authority. These wide sources are used to
inform the guidance and statements produced on medical aspects
of disablement issues."[82]
In areas of medical controversy, consideration
might be given to the commissioning of medical evidence jointly
with the ex-service community so as to develop common ground and
avoid the divisions that we have seen in recent years.
76 Q 37. Back
77
Q 112. Back
78
See the following Reports from the Defence Select Committee: Third
Special Report, Session1994-95, Progress of Committee's inquiry
into the Gulf War Syndrome, HC 317; Eleventh Report, Session
1994-95, Gulf War Syndrome, HC 197; Sixth Report, Session
1996-97, Gulf War Illnesses: recent developments, HC 158. Back
79
see. Ev. p.4, para. 2.5-2.8; Ev. p.42, para. 5.1-5.22. Back
80
Q 60-63; Q 116-117. Back
81
Q 37. Back
82
Ev. p.43, para. 5.19. Back
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