To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the implementation of his April 2004 policy of seeking completed health questionnaires filled in by the general practitioner of each recruit arriving at phase 1 training establishments; what percentage of recruits were accompanied by such documentation on arrival; what percentage of recruits have completed phase 1 training without having their health needs assessed and recorded; and when and by what method he expects to review the effectiveness of this policy. (79843)

Once an individual applies to join the Army, a British Army health questionnaire is sent to the applicant’s general practitioner for completion. Almost all Army recruits arrive at their phase 1 training establishment with a completed health questionnaire. A small number of questionnaires may be slightly delayed and arrive shortly after. No trainees complete phase 1 training without having their health needs assessed and recorded.

The Army is currently trialling a policy whereby once an applicant has passed selection, a copy of the applicant’s general practitioner records are requested for scrutiny by occupational clinical staff. Evaluation of this process will be carried out and made available to the other two services.