House of Representatives Committees

| Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade

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Care of ADF Personnel Wounded and Injured on Operations

Inquiry of the Defence Sub-Committee

24 June 2013

View the report as a single document - (PDF 1173KB)

View the report as separate downloadable parts:


Preliminary Pages	(PDF 180KB)
Foreword Membership of the Committee Membership of the Defence Sub-Committee Committee Secretariat Terms of reference List of abbreviations List of recommendations

Chapter 1 Service and Sacrifice	(PDF 92KB)
Introduction Context 2013 Wounded in Action incidents in Afghanistan Injuries sustained Issues Aim Definitions Injured Committee comment Conduct of the Inquiry Structure of the report

Chapter 2 Immediate Action	(PDF 104KB)
Responsibilities Combat first aid Pre-deployment training In-theatre health facilities ADF responsibility Public information during incidents Notification of casualty Public release of names Medical evacuation Operational health support Committee comment

Chapter 3 Aeromedical Evacuation	(PDF 156KB)
Australian aeromedical evacuation capability AME direct to Australia AME via Germany Case management Family support Return to Australia from Germany Tax implications Committee comment

Chapter 4 A Badge of Honour	(PDF 163KB)
Physical injuries Rehabilitation and recovery Garrison health care Reservists Defence civilians Rehabilitation programs ADF Rehabilitation Program Paralympics Sports Program Simpson Assist Program Support for Wounded, Injured or Ill Program Army – Support to Wounded, Injured and Ill Program Navy SWIIP initiatives Air Force SWIIP initiatives Physical rehabilitation and medical treatment Facilities Malingering Equipment issues Committee comment

Chapter 5 Mental Health Concerns	(PDF 276KB)
Mental health in the ADF Post-traumatic stress disorder Defence culture Female veterans Defence hierarchy attitude Confidentiality Psychological rehabilitation Antidepressant medication Family support Psychological first aid Alternate and complimentary therapies Soldier Recovery Centres Committee comment

Chapter 6 Falling Through the Cracks	(PDF 233KB)
Return to work Change of employment Medical Employment Classification Review Board Discharge and transition Medically unfit for further service Member support coordination Health care support transition How DVA recognises service-related injuries Stepping Out Defence/DVA connectivity Connectivity perceptions Electronic Health Records Retention of records Memorandum of Understanding United Minister Health care community awareness Longitudinal tracking Uncontested healthcare liability Medicare Committee comment

Chapter 7 Return from Operations	(PDF 177KB)
Physical injuries Non-reporting of injuries Post-deployment syndromes Psychological issues Pre-deployment screening Post-deployment psychological screening Self-awareness and resilience training Alcohol use in the ADF Delayed onset mental health issues Pre/Post-deployment support of families Defence White Paper 2013 Committee comment

Chapter 8 Veterans Affairs	(PDF 253KB)
Department of Veterans’ Affairs DVA’s role DVA’s service model DVA’s client expectations Claims process When claims may be made How claims may be made Pro-active support for making claims Veterans’ reactions to DVA services Claims paperwork Delays in claims DVA attitude/onus of proof Current claimants Claimants’ families Deployed civilians DVA’s cultural transformation Ongoing health care and support Case management Ex-serviceman involvement Long term injuries and illnesses Rehabilitation Chronic disease management Mental health Compensation Research DVA’s readiness for the future Committee comment

Chapter 9 Veterans’ Support Structures	(PDF 144KB)
Support organisations Australasian Services Care Network Australian Centre for Post-traumatic Mental Health Carry On (Victoria) Centori Pty Ltd Centre for Military and Veterans’ Health Defence Families of Australia Go2 Human Performance Legacy Australia Psychological Trauma Recovery Service Returned and Services League of Australia Soldier On Toowong Private Hospital Trauma Release Australia Veterans’ Health Advisory Council Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia Vietnam Veterans’ Federation of Australia Young Diggers Gaps and overlap On-line support Coordination Volunteerism Committee comment

Appendix A – List of Submissions	(PDF 37KB)

Appendix B – List of Exhibits	(PDF 43KB)

Appendix C – Witnesses who appeared at public hearings	(PDF 43KB)

Appendix D – ADF Personnel deployed to Afghanistan killed in action	(PDF 49KB)