MP welcomes new veteran scheme

12.00.00am GMT Fri 23rd Nov 2007

Today's announcement that St Austell will be one of six areas to pilot better healthcare for veterans, including those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, has been welcomed by the local MP. However, Matthew Taylor MP is calling for the scheme to be made national.

The Department of Health trial will offer greater support and guarantee treatment to those suffering from health problems as a result of their time in the military - but only in six pilot areas. Clinicians in these areas will be able to prioritise cases according to the patient's medical needs.

The pilot will also trial a new model of community mental health services which will give former service personnel access to trained community veterans' mental health therapists, who have expertise in treating mental health problems associated with military service. Access to the scheme will be directly through veterans' GPs, ex-Service organisations, the Veterans' Welfare Service, or Social Service departments.

Truro & St Austell MP Matthew Taylor has welcomed the trial, after campaigning for better support for constituents returning from active service. However, the MP is concerned that veterans in other parts of his constituency and across most of the UK will have to wait two years before the pilot scheme is reviewed, with no guarantee that it will be rolled out nationally.

The pilot will operate for two years in six sites, after which time its effectiveness will be reviewed prior to a national roll-out programme.

Mr Taylor commented:

"I have personally been involved in helping local veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan with the many of the problems they face when they return home. A high proportion are suffering problems arising from their service, and some face being homeless. Often they cannot find stable employment as a result.

"That's why I welcome greater support and healthcare assistance for our veterans, and I am sure that St Austell's healthcare professionals will bring the best out of this scheme. But it is a shame that this level of care is not already in place and it is still only a local trial - the majority of the country's veterans will still not be getting the treatment they need and deserve."