Veterans Wales - NHS - Helping Veterans Getting Back On Track With Their Lives
Veterans Wales - NHS - Helping Veterans Getting Back On Track With Their Lives
- Have you served in the Armed Forces?
- Are you suffering with a condition related to your service?
If you've answered yes to both, then find out more about PRIORITY CARE below:
What is Priority care?
Priority Care is a Government Initiative that promises that the medical needs of veterans will be met.
This means that veterans' will receive priority NHS Treatment and Care.
Who receives priority treatment?
Those entitled to priority treatment for conditions related to services are:
All Army, Navy and Air Forces personnel who served at least one day and are considered veterans for this purpose Reservists, Former members of the Merchant Navy who took a direct part in legally-defined UK military operations
What do I need to do?
You need to inform your doctor or dentist if you are a veteran so that your patient file can be updated. Also, if you visit your doctor or dentist about a condition that you feel may be related to your time in the service, please remind them of your past/ present military status.
For services that require a self-referral, such as some community and therapy services, you should inform the health professional who is providing your care at the earliest possible opportunity
- Please remember that you do not have to disclose your status if you do not wish to.
What does my doctor or dentist need to do?
If you have given permission to disclose your veteran status, he/she will need to include this information in your referral letter for treatment.
Will I be placed at the top of the waiting list?
When the hospital clinician receives your referral, he/she will decide whether your condition is likely to be service-related. If it is, you will be prioritised over other patients with the same level of clinical need. This means that you will be placed nearer the top of the waiting list. You will not necessarily be at the very top, as other patients with a more urgent clinical need will take higher priority. If it is deemed that it is not related to your service, you will join the bottom of the waiting list and be treated in line with national waiting times.
Interested in information about mental health problems
Seeking information on help for physical problems
If you are a Veteran who wants to refer yourself to Veterans’ NHS Wales, please select the button below
For guidance on completing the referral form, please see below.
Contact Us
What you can expect
Once the on-line referral form has been received at the Hub at Cardiff or a paper copy of the Referral Form (received by the relevant LHB). The veteran will be contacted by telephone call as soon as possible by telephone in the first instance (if possible), email, or letter to arrange a suitable time for an assessment interview with the local Veteran's Therapist (VT).
The assessment will take place in a suitable location near to the veterans’ home where possible, or via video conference call or telephone.
During the assessment, which may last up to 90 minutes, the veteran will be asked to describe their current problems/symptoms and their effects on day-to-day activities. The assessment can be split into shorter meetings if requested.
Information will also be gathered regarding his/her background, military service and any previous difficulties.
Consent to access Military Service and Medical Records will be required to verify service and gain access to Veterans' NHS Wales.
Following the initial assessment, an agreed management plan will be developed, and the veteran supplied with relevant information on how they can be assisted and/or treated. This management plan will also be sent to the individual's GP. If required, other NHS specialist services will be contacted on behalf of the veteran to provide an evidenced based treatment package.
NB: we require the veteran's service number. Please advise the veteran this will be used to verify their service in the Armed Forces
Guidance Notes on completing the referral form:
Referral Advice to Organisations such as Social Services, Veterans UK, RBL, CAB and SSAFA
1. Veterans or reservists with mild mental health difficulties should be encouraged to present to their General Practitioner for assessment and appropriate management.
2. Veterans and reservists with service related mental health needs that are believed to require more specific care should be referred to Veterans’ NHS Wales via the on-line referral form above.
3. Veterans or reservists requiring urgent or emergency assessment (e.g. posing a significant risk to themselves or others) should be referred to their GP, local mental health crisis service or local Emergency Unit.
4. Veterans or reservists with non service related mental health difficulties or conditions requiring input from other specialist mental health services (e.g. dementia, psychosis, substance dependence) should be encouraged to present to their General Practitioner for assessment and appropriate management.
5. Veterans or reservists who fall under points 1 and 4 who are not willing to present to their GP, despite encouragement to do so, can be referred to the Veterans’ NHS Wales if it is felt that this is necessary to help them engage with appropriate NHS services.
Summary
Therapy with an appropriate VT is for those veterans with common mental health difficulties of mild to moderate severity.
Treatment provision is aimed at Veterans with Service Related mental health problems.
Veterans presenting with more complex needs and who are unlikely to respond to brief psychological therapy as an out-patient should be referred on to the local NHS secondary mental health services.
Complex needs are defined as:
- Risk issues (of self or others)
- Severe depression (with suicidal ideation)
- Severe, Enduring Mental Illness such as Psychosis, Schizophrenia, Bi-polar Disorder
- Personality Disorders
- Drug/alcohol dependency
- Dementia and neurological brain disorders
VTs can be approached by the relevant local health board for case discussion, advice, or regarding appropriateness of referral to Veterans’ NHS Wales prior to a referral being made. The VT can assist with networking Veterans with complex needs into other appropriate services.
If you wish you make a referral to Veterans’ NHS Wales, please choose from one of the options above to complete the on-line form. Veterans and Professionals wishing to self-refer by paper copy should email admin.vnhswc&[email protected] to request a paper copy.