NHS England will shortly announce the providers of the forthcoming veterans’ mental health complex treatment service (VMH CTS) that will launch on 1 April 2018.
In preparation for this announcement, we would like to remind colleagues of the purpose of the VMH CTS, which is to provide an enhanced service for veterans who have military attributable complex mental health problems, many of whom will have experienced trauma, which have not been resolved earlier in the care/support pathway.
NHS England is in the process of procuring a veterans’ mental health complex treatment service (VMH CTS) that will launch on 1 April 2018.
The purpose of the VMH CTS, which builds on the recent launch of the NHS veterans’ mental health transition, liaison and intervention service (VMH TIL service), is to provide an enhanced service for veterans who have military attributable complex mental health problems, many of whom will have experienced trauma, which have not been resolved earlier in the care/support pathway.
The service will focus on veterans who will benefit from the intensive provision of a range of mental health and social interventions. This may include (but is not limited to) substance misuse, occupational therapy, physical health, employment, accommodation, relationships, finances and trauma focused therapy.
Read moreNHS England has published information on the Contract Finder website relating to a market engagement event for the procurement of a national veterans’ mental health intensive service (VMH IS).
Building on the recent launch of the veterans’ mental health transition, liaison and intervention service, the VMH IS service will provide an enhanced service for veterans who have complex mental health problems that are attributable to military service, which have not been resolved earlier in the care/support pathway and require an intensive and assertive multi-disciplinary package of clinical and social interventions, where a military culturally-sensitive approach would assist the rapport and therapeutic outcome/s for the patient.
Read moreThe Step into Health Information Day will be hosted by Barts Healthcare NHS Trust at Royal London Hospital on 28th June, 2017.
Read moreWhen a patient registers with your surgery, ask if they have served in the armed forces and Read code them as ‘Military veteran’ on your computer system. There are also Read codes for ‘Member of Military Family’.
Consider whether a patient who attends with a health problem, especially mental health, might be a veteran (or family member) and ask them if they have served in the armed forces or if they are the family member of a service person.
Read moreIt is unlikely that your military health records will completely be in your NHS GP’s records. Tell your GP that you are military veteran.
The Armed Forces Covenant gives military veterans additional rights, but it is not for all health care. The main thing is that the condition needs to have been caused or occurred whilst you were serving. For example Mr Smith developed skin cancer as a consequence of serving overseas for many years – this would be included in this definition. However if Mr Smith required a gall bladder operation, it would be unlikely to be due to military service and he would be treated as a normal NHS patient. If the condition is thought to be due to your time in service, tell your doctor as you may be entitled to a shorter hospital waiting list.
Read moreNHS England has launched improved mental health services for veterans in response to a national engagement undertaken last year. The views of veterans and their families have helped to inform a service that builds on the success of previous provision and seeks to provide increased access to local care and treatment across the country in a more uniformed manner. This includes recognising the early signs of mental health problems and providing access to early treatment and support, as well as therapeutic treatment for complex mental health difficulties and psychological trauma. Patients are also provided with help, where appropriate, with employment, reduction in alcohol consumption, housing and social support.
Read moreOn 1 April 2017, NHS England is launching the transition, intervention and liaison (TIL) mental health service for armed forces personnel approaching discharge and veterans.
Provided across England, the service will seek to increase the access and treatment to appropriate and timely mental health services for armed forces serving personnel approaching discharge and veterans with mental health difficulties.
Read moreThis animation describes a Healthwatch Norfolk project (April 2015-16) to find ways of improving health and care services for military veterans with mental health conditions in Norfolk and Suffolk. The animation was produced by Creative Connection and the recipient of an NHS England’s ‘Celebrating Participation in Healthcare’ grant 2016.
Read moreA new guidance document on patient and public participation in armed forces has been published. The new framework is part of a suite of documents developed to strengthen patient and public participation in all of NHS England’s direct commissioning activities.
The new participation framework for Armed Forces provides practical guidance on the best ways to involve patients and the public in different services.
Read more
Afghanistan support
In light of recent events in Afghanistan, please find information and support resources here
