POST DEPLOYMENT CLINICS

• POST-DEPLOYMENT CLINICS
• ACCESSING CLINICS
  • Serving Members
  • Retired Members
• BACKGROUND
• GULF WAR CLINIC

POST-DEPLOYMENT CLINICS

In January 1998, Post-Depoyment Clinics were established at several bases across Canada. Clinics now exist in:

These clinics will evaluate veterans (serving or retired) of any Canadian Deployment who feel they have a medical problem that may have been a result of their deployment; and whose diagnosis is not yet clear. The Post-Deployment Clinics will perform whatever lab, x-ray, or specialist referrals necessary to arrive at a diagnosis.

It has been known since the American Civil War that veterans returning from conflicts frequently experience problems with fatigue, memory, concentration, sleep, chest pain, joint and muscle pain, dizziness and shortness of breath. Canadian Forces Specialists have noted similar problems with veterans of the Gulf War, Somalia, Rwanda, Bosnia, Croatia and Haiti.

In recognition of the fact that these types of complaints are common to veterans of any deployment and to provide access and follow-up, the Gulf War Clinic was closed and the Post-Deployment Clinics were opened.

ACCESSING THE CLINICS

Serving Members

Currently serving members who have a medical problem they feel is related to an operational deployment and whose medical diagnosis is not yet clear, can request a referral to one of these clinics by contacting your local medical facilities.

Retired Members

Retired service members who have a medical problems they feel is related to an operational deployment and whose medical diagnosis is not yet clear, can request a referral to one of these clinics through a Pension Officer of Veteran Affairs Canada with the recommendation of a District VAC Medical Officer.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Post-Deployment Clinics, please feel free to contact THE CENTRE.

BACKGROUND

In 1990, Iraqi forces invaded the emirate of Kuwait, which resulted in the formation of the coalition forces in which Canada participated. In total, 4500 Canadian personnel served in the Gulf War, with 2200 Canadians in theatre during the air and ground campaign.

The first formal investigation of Gulf War veterans took place in the spring 1992 by the Americans. Canadians were assessed at local base hospitals and at a chronic fatigue clinic in Ottawa. The fatigue clinic, in existence prior to the Gulf War, accepted patients from across the country with complaints of:

• Fatigue,
• memory problems,
• concentration problems,
• sleep disturbance, and
• muscle/joint pain.

The first patient from the Gulf War was seen at this clinic in August 1991. A Canadian Gulf War Registry was established in January 1995.

GULF WAR CLINIC

A formal Gulf War Clinic was established in Ottawa in April of 1995, with patients (currently serving and retired) referred to it from across Canada.

After an initial evaluation by an internal medicine specialist, patients were usually seen by other specialists. The medical evaluation at the Gulf War Clinic was more extensive than any previously undertaken by the military.

The findings of the Gulf War Clinic were of medical conditions found in the general population.There was no evidence of the existence of a unique disease among Gulf War veterans. However, some of these diagnoses were clearly related to service in the Gulf War and the members were able to apply for and receive disability pensions under the Pension Act through Veterans Affairs Canada.

The Gulf War Clinic was replaced by the Post-Deployment Clinics in January 1998.