Armed forces veterans will be encouraged to make their GP aware of their military service so they can access care better suited to their needs.
The Office for Veterans’ Affairs and NHS England has today launched a campaign to boost the wellbeing of former servicemen and women.
They want more to come forward for support with their mental and physical health, stressing the slogan: ‘There is strength in asking for help.’
The Royal College of GPs will also ask family doctors to become ‘veteran friendly accredited’, indicating they are aware of the specialist services available locally.
Johnny Mercer, minister for veterans’ affairs, told the Mail: ‘This Government is doing more than ever before to support our veterans but it is crucial that veterans know they will be heard if they speak up.
The Office for Veterans’ Affairs and NHS England has today launched a campaign to boost the wellbeing of former servicemen and women. They want more to come forward for support with their mental and physical health, stressing the slogan: ‘There is strength in asking for help’
Johnny Mercer, minister for veterans’ affairs, told the Mail: ‘This Government is doing more than ever before to support our veterans but it is crucial that veterans know they will be heard if they speak up.’ Pictured, Mr Mercer arriving in Downing Street on March 12
‘We want to give them the confidence to tell their story and access bespoke services which can help them transition comfortably into civilian life.’
GPs typically see one veteran a day but many are unaware who they are and therefore fail to refer them to specialist services.
The initiatives, which are named Op Courage and Op Restore, are designed with veterans in mind and are run by a mix of armed forces charities and NHS teams who understand military life and the care demands that stem from it.
Op Courage helps people who have served in the UK Armed Forces and are experiencing mental ill health, are abusing substances or suffering from addictions.
The scheme is backed by over £17 million a year, and has already received 30,000 referrals in its first five years
Meanwhile, Op Restore helps those who have served in, or are leaving, the UK Armed Forces and have continuing physical health injuries attributed to their time in service.
It can refer veterans to the Veterans Mobility Fund, which gives veterans with physical disabilities grants for mobility equipment that is not usually available on the NHS, such as specialist wheelchairs, to improve their quality of life.
Mr Mercer said he believes some veterans feel ‘side-lined’ like their experiences and feeling do not matter but he stressed ‘nothing could be further from the truth’.
He said he is going to be ‘flying their flag’ and showing what veterans can achieve through the UK’s bid for the Invictus Games.
He added: ‘Being a part of our Armed Forces is unlike anything else – the skills you learn, the friends you make, the challenges you experience are wholly unique.
‘In fact, my time in the commandos – and my three tours in Afghanistan – helped make me the man I am today.
‘Heading home from Afghanistan, I felt that tokenism dominated almost every approach to veterans’ care and mental health.
‘When it came to post-combat care specifically, I strongly believed that the government had singularly failed our service men and women.
‘I came into politics to make life better for our veterans.
‘It’s this simple truth that is at the heart of a new campaign the Office for Veterans’ Affairs are launching today with NHS England.’
