Summary
BBC Breakfast this morning broadcast a discussion about mental healthcare services for veterans, in which a veteran described how he developed mental health problems after leaving the Army. | Various papers carry further coverage and commentary on the British soldier who gave birth to a baby boy in Camp Bastion. The Daily Mail reports that Colonel Richard Kemp has called for women to face compulsory pregnancy tests before deploying to Afghanistan. | The Daily Telegraph reports that President Karzai has sacked Gulab Mangal, the governor of Helmand province. | The same newspaper has also published an article about Afghanistan's cricket team, ahead of their match with England later today. | The Guardian features an article focusing on Nahr-e-Saraj, looking at the relationship between British and Afghan forces in the context of recent 'insider threat' incidents. | The Daily Mail reports that Boeing is demanding a full-scale review into the planned BAE Systems and EADS merger. | Various papers cover the Home Affairs Select Committee's report into G4S. | The Sun reports that RAF pilot Andy Green is preparing to set a new world land speed record.
Policy on pregnancy testing prior to deployment
There have been widespread media reports of the birth of a baby boy to a UK servicewoman at Camp Bastion Field Hospital in Afghanistan. Some reports call for mandatory pregnancy testing of all female Service personnel before deployment.
It is the individual's responsibility to inform the chain of command of any changes to their health so that their condition can be managed properly and the individual not placed at additional risk.
Less than one per cent of all servicewomen who have deployed on operations since 2006 have had to return from Afghanistan due to pregnancy. This latest incident is the only time that a servicewoman has given birth in Afghanistan.
The health and safety of our troops is always the MOD's top priority and as part of their preparation for deployment to Afghanistan personnel may require vaccinations. Prior to the administration of vaccines female Service personnel are asked whether or not they are pregnant.
Comments