The UK risks failing another generation of injured veterans, with almost half saying they were left unprepared for civilian life, a new Help for Heroes report warns.
The military charity has found systemic failures and inconsistencies in the medical discharge process – the system meant to support the nearly 2,000 men and women who leave the Armed Forces every year due to injury or illness1.
Most people who leave the military go on to lead successful lives but there is a gulf between them and those forced out due to their mental or physical health.
The Help for Heroes Veterans and Family survey shows more than 40 per cent of medically discharged veterans felt unprepared for civilian life, and are more likely to struggle compared with those leaving service without injury.
The new report also reveals that:
- Veterans face an inconsistent and often unclear discharge process, with varying levels of support across different statutory services and military units3.
- Mental health is now a leading cause of medical discharge, yet many veterans leave without a formal diagnosis or clear route into civilian care and support4.
- Poor transitions have lasting consequences. Veterans report feeling discarded, facing financial uncertainty, and struggling to access employment, housing, and healthcare.
The UK Government announced in its Strategic Defence Review earlier this year that it aims to make the British Army 10 times more lethal over the next decade 5.
In this volatile geopolitical climate, Help for Heroes is urging the Government to urgently commission an independent review of the medical discharge process to support current and future veterans.
The leading military charity believes it is the biggest step politicians can take, as these are the veterans most likely to struggle post-service and fall through the gaps.
Set up in 2007, in direct response to the lack of proper support for those returning with severe injuries from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, Help for Heroes is now 18 years old and still by the side of veterans fighting their own battles today.
The report sets out a series of evidence-based recommendations that include standardising the discharge pathways across all three branches of the Armed Forces and providing timely access to compensation, medical records, and post-service entitlements.
The report, ‘Falling Through the Gaps,’ says,
“These individuals did not leave because they chose to, but because their injury or illness sustained during service had left a lasting impact on their health. Their transition out of the military should be the point at which the system steps up, not steps away.
New survey data from 2025 from Help for Heroes6 shows that medically discharged veterans report significantly lower well-being than other veterans and the general UK population, across life satisfaction, happiness, and anxiety indicators.
And yet, evidence indicates that the medical discharge process remains under-prioritised in national policy, even as political interest in veterans’ welfare continues to grow.
While initiatives like VALOUR and the Veterans’ Strategy refresh signal welcome attention, they do not go far enough to address the systemic failures regarding medical discharge that have persisted for years.
Last year, the Charity supported 5,229 veterans and their families – the highest number ever in a 12-month period – a 31% increase on the previous year across physical, mental health, and welfare needs 7.
Barrie Griffiths was medically discharged after serving more than 34 years in the RAF. A spinal injury during a weighted march marked the beginning of the end of his career. An emergency operation prevented paralysis, but the damage – physical and mental – was done.
“Suddenly, you’re told the way of life you’ve known for decades is ending,” said Barrie, 63, from Rickmansworth in Hertfordshire. “You’re given a date – and after that, you’re no longer in the care, pay, or support of the organisation. You’re just thrown to the wolves.”
His message to the Ministry of Defence is direct:
“Map the process. Make someone accountable. Put the right people in the right roles. Support the family. Give financial clarity. This is not rocket science – and it doesn’t cost the earth. But it will transform lives. It will stop people falling on the scrapheap after serving their country.”
Carol Betteridge OBE, Deputy Services Director at Help for Heroes, added:
“Too many injured veterans are being left to face civilian life without the support they need. Unless things change, we risk failing the next generation of veterans in the same way. That isn’t good enough, and it’s why we’re calling on the government to urgently commission an independent review of the medical discharge process.”
READ THE REPORT: Falling Through The Gaps: helpforheroes.org.uk/fallingthroughthegaps.
- MoD Medical Discharge Statistics 2025 UK service personnel medical discharges: background quality report 2025 – GOV.UK
- Help for Heroes, Veterans’ and Family Needs Survey 2025: responses from 941 veterans. (40% n=48 of 119) of medically discharged veterans feel some level of being unprepared for civilian life.
- Help for Heroes Medical Discharge Survey, 2019 2019_0053-medical-discharge-policy-paper-aw.pdf
- MoD Medical Discharge Statistics, 2025 UK service personnel medical discharges: background quality report 2025 – GOV.UK
- Strategic Defence Review 2025: Making Britain Safer: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/683d89f181deb72cce2680a5/The_Strategic_Defence_Review_2025_-_Making_Britain_Safer_-_secure_at_home__strong_abroad.pdf
- Help for Heroes, Veterans’ and Family Needs Survey 2025: responses from 941 veterans
- Help for Heroes Annual Report 2023-2024: https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/media/filer_public/45/95/4595e6c5-83e8-4559-b194-93a0698914d6/h4h_annual_report_23-24.pdf
