Blair is called to account over abandoned troops

[cal04]

British soldiers returning from war are suffering unprecedented levels of mental health problems amid claims that the long-standing "military covenant" guaranteeing them proper care is in tatters.

More than 21,000 full-time servicemen and women who have served in Iraq, as well as army reservists, have developed anxiety and depression, an Independent on Sunday investigation can reveal today.

Official figures suggest two dozen military personnel have killed themselves since the invasion of Iraq in March 2003 ­ a figure which includes 17 confirmed suicides and six where inquests are pending. Combat Stress, the charity for war veterans suffering from mental problems, has warned that it is seeing an annual rise of 26 per cent in its caseload; more than 1,000 former soldiers are homeless.

The figures prompted military experts, politicians and mental health charities to claim that Tony Blair is in breach of his duty of care for those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Politicians, leading figures in the arts and entertainment, and relatives of dead soldiers have put their names to a letter published in today's Independent on Sunday. Signatories include the playwright Harold Pinter, campaigner Bianca Jagger, Sir Menzies Campbell, leader of the Liberal Democrats, and MPs Peter Kilfoyle and Ben Wallace.

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article2347521.ece

[yellerpup]

1. Blair, B***, they are all going to pay eventually.

Not soon enough, but they will. K&R! :kick:

[unhappycamper]

2. US military medical system, part duex.

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/08/11/145205

[Cobalt-60]

3. Does anyone doubt that Chimp and Poodle

get their marching orders from the same source?

[PDJane]

4. No. eom.

[Amonester]

5. No. Darth Cheneyous elf (and the petro+MIC behind it). - eom

[cal04]

6. Disgrace of war vets left to wait on NHS

VETERANS from Iraq and Afghanistan suffering flashbacks, trauma and panic attacks are being told to wait 18 months or longer for treatment on the National Health Service.

Many of the ex-servicemen with posttraumatic stress should be given priority under government guidelines, but are being told that they must wait for treatment, in some cases for up to four years.

One charity, Combat Stress, says it is being overwhelmed with ex-servicemen who have been unable to get treatment on the NHS.

It says that the number suffering trauma has doubled in six months, as soldiers in Britain’s overstretched forces are sent back to combat zones without enough time to recuperate.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/health/article1496768.ece

[cal04]

7. Blair under fire over troop treatment

PRIME Minister Tony Blair became a target of anger overnight over claims that British troops who have been wounded or suffered mental trauma in Iraq and Afghanistan have received poor medical care.

In response to the claims, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) defended both the level of care at the sole military-managed hospital ward in Britain and its decision to close military hospitals in previous years.

(snip)
The complaints emerged after similar ones were publicised in the US in the last few weeks over flawed care for US troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

(snip)
The signatories alleged Mr Blair had failed to ensure adequate medical and psychiatric care for troops returning home as well as to properly care for the families who have lost loved ones in action.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21365207-1702,00.html