Department of Health and Social Care
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Government progresses plans for Armed Forces mental health
Government Ministers pledged to further improve mental health services for the Armed Forces through a programme of joint working today.
The Ministry of Defence and Department for Health announced that
along with Armed Forces charity Combat Stress, they would continue
to work together to move forward recommendations from the Fighting
Fit report into military mental health produced by former Royal
Navy doctor, Andrew Murrison MP.
Dr Andrew Murrison was asked by the Prime Minister to
undertake an independent study into the mental health of both
serving and ex-service personnel to see what more can be done to
assess and meet their needs. The subsequent report, Fighting Fit,
was welcomed by the MoD and Department of Health.
Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, Andrew
Robathan today joined the Minister of State for Health, Simon
Burns and former Royal Navy doctor, Andrew Murrison MP on a visit
to the Combat Stress headquarters in Surrey to discuss what
further improvements can be made to mental health services for
veterans.
Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, Andrew
Robathan, said: "I am determined to ensure that our Armed
Forces receive the best mental health care available, both while
serving and after leaving the Service. Along with my colleagues in
the Department of Health and Combat Stress, will do whatever I can
to improve the services they receive. Already, following the
recommendations made in Dr Andrew Murrison's study, we
have announced plans to improve mental health services for
veterans through the introduction of 30 mental health nurses and a
24 hour counselling and support helpline."
Health Minister Simon Burns said:
"Servicemen and women give so much to our country and the NHS must do whatever it can to reduce the impact that this can have on their mental health.
"Work is already underway on delivering a dedicated 24-hour support line for veterans, and we are working closely with Combat Stress and other service charities to ensure that veterans receive the care that they deserve."
The MoD operates a range of measures to tackle mental health
issues among the Armed Forces. In Afghanistan, Community
Psychiatric Nurses are on hand to provide any care and treatment
needed; they are supported by visiting consultant psychiatrists.
In addition, two UK-based teams of psychiatrists and mental health
nurses are available to deploy to Afghanistan at short notice, if
required.
There are 15 military Departments of Community Mental Health
across the UK, which provide out-patient mental healthcare. These
teams are made up of psychiatrists and mental health nurses, with
support from clinical psychologists and mental health social
workers. A wide range of psychiatric and psychological treatments
are available, including medication, psychological therapies, and
environmental adjustment. The MoD works with a group of NHS Trusts
to provide in-patient care. These arrangements mean that most
patients can be treated near their units.
When back in the UK, Reservists can benefit from the Reserves
Mental Health Programme, which offers assessment and treatment for
those in need. A similar scheme has also been introduced for MOD
civilians who have deployed and might need such follow-up help.
For veterans, the MoD is working with the NHS and Combat
Stress to make sure GPs are telling veterans about the support
available and to ensure that the NHS understands the culture of
the military. There are community mental health pilots for
veterans at six NHS Trusts' across the UK, including the
Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust. Centred on the patient and GP,
these arrangements aim to make it easier for veterans to seek help
and are advertised in a number of ways including through GPs and
the local British Legion.
Contacts:
Department of Health
Phone: 020 7210 5221
NDS.DH@coi.gsi.gov.uk
