BAFF

The report below was released by the MoD on 11 Jan 2010. There is the related issue of a new discharge policy for permanently injured personnel.

A new package of measures has been announced to support Service personnel who have received serious injuries whilst on active service.

As part of the Government's commitment to provide Armed Forces veterans and those preparing to make the transition from Service to civilian life with the very highest standards of healthcare, personnel with the most serious injuries will have a customised healthcare plan through the National Health Service.

Tha Ministry went on to say that the package includes:

• A guarantee that all those seriously injured will receive an early and comprehensive assessment of their long term needs before they leave the Armed Forces;

• High quality care for life for those with continuing healthcare needs based on a regular review of their needs overseen by an NHS case manager;

• Grant funding of £140,000 with Combat Stress (that they are matching) to work directly with mental health trusts to ensure that the services they provide are accessible to and appropriate for military veterans;

• Closer NHS links with a full range of third sector partners and charities with extensive experience of working with veterans, to share advice, knowledge and best practice to improve services for veterans;

• An entitlement for all veterans who have lost a limb whilst serving in the Armed Forces to receive, where clinically appropriate, the same standard of prosthetic limb from the NHS that they received or would receive today from Defence Medical Services as a result of major technological advances;

• Responsible Directors within each Strategic Health Authority, together with Primary Care Trust Champions for the Armed Forces, their families and veterans are identified to ensure their needs are fully reflected in local plans and service provision; and

• Improved transfer of medical records to the NHS on retirement from the Armed Forces, including greater GP awareness of veteran status of new patients to ensure veterans receive their entitlement to priority treatment for any injuries or illness attributable to their time serving in the Armed Forces.

In addition, six ongoing mental health pilots within the NHS will continue, with the evaluation and learning from these pilots used to help other Trusts gear their services to better meet the needs of veterans.

• Full article from MoD: New healthcare package for military veterans