Defence force urged to improve health service

An organisation representing the interests of past and serving Australian Defence Force members has called for improvements to medical expertise and record-keeping within the service.

An organisation representing the interests of past and serving Australian Defence Force members has called for improvements to medical expertise and record-keeping within the service. The Regular Defence Force Welfare Association has told a senate inquiry into defence health that some medical officers may not be adequately trained, despite the increasing threat of chemical and biological weapons.Spokesman Harrold Adams says the force’s medical systems have not been prepared for overseas deployments, which may have led to the recent controversy over Anthrax vaccinations. “The chemical or biological expertise that was resident within the Australian Defence Force health service 10 years ago has been eroded and senior military planners did not factor in the threat assessment and counter measures required at an early enough stage in their planning,” he said.(Source: ABC Health News, Feb 2004)