Gulf war veterans support

If you are a veteran of the 1990 to 1991 Gulf War, you may have experienced a number of health issues. You can receive support from the Royal British Legion (RBL) or other organisations, and might even be eligible for compensation.

Support for Gulf War Veterans

If you served in the First Gulf War and you are concerned that your health has been affected as a direct result, help is available.

In the first instance contact your GP. Make sure you identify yourself as a veteran and explain that you are suffering from symptoms that you believe are related to your time in Service.

Learn more about NHS care and treatment for veterans by visiting the NHS website.

Visit the Gulf Veterans Illnesses section of the MOD's website for further information about Gulf War Illnesses.

Read our guidance on how to find and register for a civilian NHS GP.

Other organisations that may be able to help are:

Veterans and Reserves Mental Health Programme

The Veterans and Reserves Mental Health programme (VRMHP) provides assessment and treatment advice for veterans (who have deployed since 1982) and reserves who have been deployed overseas since 1 January 2003 as a reservist, and believe that their deployment may have affected their mental health.

Visit the GOV.UK website to learn more about the Veterans and Reserves Mental Health Programme or:

Telephone: 0800 0326258

Email: [email protected]

Post:

Veterans and Reserve Mental Health programme,
DCMH Colchester,
Merville Barracks,
Read Hall House,
COLCHESTER,
Essex,
CO2 7UT

Combat Stress

For over a century, Combat Stress have been helping former service personnel deal with issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression. Today, they provide specialist treatment and support for veterans from every service and conflict, focusing on those with complex mental health issues related to their military service.

Visit the Combat Stress website or:

Telephone: 0800 1381619

Text: 07537 173683

Email: [email protected]

National Gulf Veterans and Families Association

The National Gulf Veterans and Families Association(NGVFA) is an independent registered charity that supports those affected by Gulf War I, Gulf War II (Iraq), Afghanistan, and all future desert conflicts. They work with the mission to provide a safe haven for desert conflict veterans and their families and carers, and provide information to improve the health care and support provided for such veterans.

Visit the National Gulf Veterans and Families Association website or:

Telephone: 01482 808730

Email: [email protected]

Samaritans

When life is difficult, Samaritans are here - day or night, 365 days a year.

You can call them, email them or even write to them by post, all for free. Whoever you are and whatever you're facing, they won't judge you or tell you what to do. They're here to listen so you don't have to face it alone.

Visit the Samaritans website or:

Telephone: 116 123

Email: [email protected]

Post: Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS

RBL Campaign

The history of the RBL campaign

Shortly after the end of the First Gulf War, reports emerged from the United States about Gulf War veterans developing unusual illnesses. These were followed by similar reports from the UK, Denmark, Canada and Australia. In all these cases, previously fit veterans had developed unusual diseases, illnesses and symptoms.

Whilst all these symptoms already occurred within the Armed Forces and the population more widely, what remains unusual about ill Gulf War veterans is that they report more of these symptoms than expected, and at a greater intensity.

A Freedom of Information request made by RBL revealed that 1,300 Gulf War veterans currently claim a War Pension for conditions connected to their Service in the Gulf. Yet research suggests that as many as 33,000 UK Gulf War veterans could be living with Gulf War illnesses.

Gulf War Illness campaign

We launched a campaign to focus on veterans with 'Gulf War Illnesses'.

We believe it is important that Gulf War veterans who have developed illnesses as a result of their Service should be properly supported and that there should be improved awareness of the specific health needs of this particular group of veterans.

The Royal British Legion called on the Government to:

• invest in research that will improve recovery outcomes for Gulf War veterans
• set up formal communication channels to convey the results of US research development to Gulf War veterans living here in the UK

We invite all RBL supporters to join us in raising awareness of this campaign.

Research

The Royal British Legion was part of the Gulf War Group, set up with representatives from veterans' organisations, medical and scientific fields, parliamentarians and veterans themselves.

Gulf War: a legacy of suspicion Report

On 9 May 2007, the Gulf War Group hosted a conference for veterans and launched their report Gulf War: a legacy of suspicion, which consolidated the evidence and debates surrounding Gulf War illnesses. The report outlines the steps required to recognise the sacrifice these veterans have made, and improve support provision.

Read the RBL report Gulf War: a legacy of suspicion.