The NHS wants your views on mental and physical health services for veterans in England

The NHS in England has launched a survey to find out people’s views and experiences of veterans mental and physical health services. The information gathered will be used to help inform the development and provision of these services in the future. As part of this exercise, the NHS would like to hear about people’s views and experiences of Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service, as well as the Veterans Trauma Network (VTN), which is for Service-related physical health conditions. 

Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service is the collective name for the: 

• Veterans Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service (TILS). 
• Veterans Mental Health Complex Treatment Service (CTS). 
• Veterans Mental Health High Intensity Service (HIS). 

Your views could help to inform how Op COURAGE can be further developed, such as improving support for substance misuse and gambling addictions. 

The VTN provides specialist care and support for veterans who have physical health problems due to their Service in the UK Armed Forces. As the need for the VTN becomes greater, the NHS is looking at future arrangements on how it can improve care and treatment for these veterans.  Make sure you have your say to help influence these exciting developments.

Anyone can share their views, however, the NHS is particularly keen to hear from: 

• people who have served in the UK Armed Forces (reservist or regular) and have used or are currently using NHS veterans services in England 
• veterans with a mental and / or physical health condition who have not sought or received healthcare, treatment or support 
• Service leavers 
• family members and carers of the above 
• staff and organisations that are providing healthcare, treatment or support for veterans and their families. 

Rob Munro, member of the NHS England Armed Forces Patient and Public Voice Group and NHS Programme Manager, is one of a number of veterans who have been involved in developing the survey.  He told us, “As a veteran, I welcome the opportunity to offer my views and experiences of NHS veterans mental and physical health services.  It is encouraging to know that by responding to this survey, I will be directly informing considerations that will determine the future of Op Courage and the Veterans Trauma Network.  I therefore encourage all other veterans to complete the survey.”

Visit www.engage.england.nhs.uk/survey/improving-veterans-mental-and-physical-health/ to complete the survey, which closes on 22 May 2022. 

For information on Op COURAGE, visit www.nhs.uk/opcourage and for the VTN, visit www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-community/veterans-service-leavers-non-mobilised-reservists/