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After receiving a request in November 1999 to develop a SOP concerning
Gulf War syndrome, the RMA decided to carry out an investigation to find
out whether or not a SOP may be determined in respect of Gulf War syndrome.
To assist the investigation process, the RMA hosted a preliminary workshop
in Brisbane on 6 March 2000. This was designed to develop some understanding
of the type and range of Australian involvement in the Gulf War and the
applicability of overseas data to the Australian veteran cohort.
The Workshop was attended by the members of the RMA; Gulf War veterans;
representatives from Ex-service organisations; the Department of Defence;
and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
The objectives of the workshop included the following:
- Who went, when and for how long (demography);
- What did they do - tasks and potential exposures of interest (environmental,
medical and other);
- How did they go about their tasks and how did they feel at the time;
- Where were Australians based;
- What are the current concerns of Gulf War Veterans; and
- What do we know of Australian Gulf War Veterans mortality and morbidity?
A summary of the findings of the Workshop was distributed to participants
following the meeting.
The RMA, in its consideration of the Workshop outcomes, determined to
continue to examine the body of available evidence relating to illness
in Gulf War veterans and to post deployment syndromes in general. The
RMA considers that it may be precipitous to conclude any investigation
into Gulf War syndrome until its concerns over the validity and nosology
of a unique syndrome are satisfied. These issues are currently being
actively investigated by a number of international research bodies. Also
the study into the health of the cohort of Australian Gulf War veterans
is due to report next year.
The RMA will consider the possibility of hosting an international working
group later in the year to closely consider the Australian and world research
in this area.
This page last updated 13
October 2000.
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