Armed Forces

1-accreditation-logo             

cert-web

2-screen-graphics          

 

Please click on the bullet points below for further information on:

 

Who is a veteran?

  • Veterans include anyone who has served for at least one day in the Armed Forces  (Regular or Reserve)

  • By far the majority serve over 10 years

 

picture1

 

Armed Forces Covenant 

  • Understanding of the veteran community & potential health problems

  • Awareness of and how to sign-post or refer to appropriate veteran-specific services

  • Request priority treatment for health problems partially or wholly attributable to military service

 

Why are veterans treated as a special group?

  • Service in the Armed Forces is different from other occupations

  • Relinquish civil liberties and put themselves in harm's way to protect others

  • Risk of serious injury is substantially increased

  • 52% of veterans have a long-term illness/disability which is higher than in the general adult population (35%)

  • "Leaving the military introduces a rupture across all levels" - TRIAD study, King's College London, January 2021

 

Veterans Mental Health

  • UK veterans who served at time of recent military operations were more likely than non-veterans to report higher prevalence of:

    • Common mental health disorders 23 v's 16%

    • PTSD 8%, rising to 17% of those deployed to combat roles in Iraq & Afghanistan v's 5%

    • Alcohol misuse 10% v's 5%

    • Delayed presentation - average of 4 years for veterans to come forward about mental health

 

Veterans eligible for priority NHS treatment

  • For conditions partially or wholly attributed to military service

  • High proportion of MSK and hearing problems amongst veterans

 

Links:

Op COURAGE

The Veterans Mental Health & Wellbeing Service - Please click here

  • Veteran's Transition, Intervention & Liason Service (TILS)

  • Veteran's Complex Treatment Service (CTS)

  • High Intensity Service (HIS) - crisis in need of urgent care

Veteran's Trauma Network

  • Serious injuries and long-term physical, mental or neurological health condition and disability

  • VTN works with DMS, national centres of clinical expertise, NHS Veterans mental health, key charities

  • Personalised care approach

  • Referral by email from GP

Veteran's Gateway

  • Veteran's Gateway - 24/7 phoneline - Please click here

  • First point of contact for welfare needs including housing, finances, employment, physical and mental wellbeing

 

Hub Of Hope

  • This is an excellent mental health website and app for all things mental health. The specific mental health support for veterans is below.

Services | Hub Of Hope

Soldiers, Sailors and Airman's Framily's Association - (SSAFA)

  • SSAFA deal with veterans of all ages and no matter how long you have been discharged, including regulars and reserves.

  • Welfare and benefits

  • Mental health support

  • Disability support

SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity

0800 260 6780 - Free phone number for support

Healthier Heroes

  • This is a local Burnley based charity that provides excellent local support to local veterans.

  • Healthier Heroes CIC, Elizabeth Street, Burnley, Bancroft House, Lancashire, England, IUnited Kingdom, BB11 2BQ

  • 24 hour support line: 01282 966730 & referral.healthierheroes@outlook.com

Healthier Heroes CIC

 

Lancashire County Council

  • Offer support for veterans reintegrating the local community

Veterans and their families - Lancashire County Council

Combat Stress

  • Excellent support for mental health and advice for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Mental Health Services For Veterans | Combat Stress

The support for veterans is vast and too much to place here. If there are any further needs or support in finding help please just contact the Surgery.