NHS to launch national scheme to treat veterans' mental health
The NHS is set to launch a nationwide scheme to treat military veterans with mental health issues.
The Veterans' Mental Health Complex Treatment Service was designed after former military personnel and their families across England were asked by the NHS how services could be improved.
However, some veterans have raised concerns that the money will take funds away from existing charity schemes.
Veterans told the Portsmouth News that an intensive treatment programme for people with PTSD provided in the area by charity Combat Stress would be cut and that some veterans who struggled with mental health problems were reluctant to go to the NHS.
The charity's chief executive Sue Freeth told the newspaper that intensive treatment plans would need to be funded by donations, but reassured veterans that it would continue to provide residential intensive treatment.
A spokesman for NHS England confirmed that placements at that Combat Stress facility were being "tapered off as is usual when a provider reaches the end of a contract".
He added: "There’s more money going into veterans' services, meaning we’ll be able to provide support for more people in line with a new specification which is based on what veterans told us they wanted. We’ve appointed providers covering every area of the country, and in some this includes other Combat Stress services.
"Psychological therapies and psychiatry, detox services and family support are some of the options that will be available to veterans."
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