Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Former Service Personnel: Mental Health Services

Monday 15 November 2021 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial questions addressed concerns over mental health services for former service personnel.
  • The Minister defended the success of Operation Courage and emphasized the involvement of veterans as peer support workers.
  • The need for reducing stigma around mental health and ensuring professional responsibility during service was highlighted.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Navendu Mishra Lab Stockport
Mental Health Veterans
Context

The question arises from the need to address the mental health support gap for veterans, who often face difficulties in accessing proper care.

Question

What steps he is taking to improve provision of mental health services for former service personnel. The Government are currently missing a range of targets for the mental health care of veterans, and sadly veterans continue to face a postcode lottery when accessing services. We know that veterans face a wait of 37 days for face-to-face appointments offered through the transition intervention and liaison service, against a target of 14 days. The average wait time for treatment is 70 days, a jump from 57 days in 2018-19.

Answer from Leo Docherty

I do not accept that characterisation from the hon. Member. Op Courage is very successful. Clearly there is always more to do, which is why we are putting more money into it. Importantly, we are putting veterans themselves at the heart of Op Courage as peer support workers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to reviewing services or ensuring best standards of care despite acknowledging missed targets and long wait times for veterans.

How: Did Not Accept Characterisation, Putting More Money Into It Without Specifics

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Q2 Alex Norris Labour (Co-op) Nottingham North and Kimberley
Mental Health Veterans
Context

The number of personnel medically discharged due to mental health issues has doubled over the past five years. Labour's pledge is to increase annual funding from £20 million to £55 million.

Question

Yesterday we honoured our armed forces and their incredible service, but we know that this service comes at a cost. Over the past five years, the number of personnel medically discharged due to mental health issues has doubled. We are not offering them enough support. On the commitment of just £20 million a year, Labour has pledged to increase that by £35 million. Will the Minister match that commitment today?

Answer from Leo Docherty

I think we are putting our money where our mouth is, but I make the broader point that it is about reducing stigma around mental health and ensuring that, during service, service people understand that dealing with their mental health is a professional responsibility. That is why we have introduced an annual mandatory mental health care brief.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not match the pledge for additional funding but discussed broader points about reducing stigma and introducing annual mandatory briefs.

How: Broad Point, Reducing Stigma

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Q3 Navendu Mishra Lab Stockport
Mental Health Veterans
Context

Veterans face long waits for mental health services, and the Government have missed numerous targets. The target wait time for face-to-face appointments is 14 days but veterans face a wait of 37 days.

Question

The Government are currently missing a range of targets for the mental health care of veterans, and sadly veterans continue to face a postcode lottery when accessing services. We know that veterans face a wait of 37 days for face-to-face appointments offered through the transition intervention and liaison service, against a target of 14 days. The average wait time for treatment is 70 days, a jump from 57 days in 2018-19.

Answer from Leo Docherty

I do not accept that characterisation from the hon. Member. Op Courage is very successful. Clearly there is always more to do, which is why we are putting more money into it. Importantly, we are putting veterans themselves at the heart of Op Courage as peer support workers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to reviewing services or ensuring best standards of care despite acknowledging missed targets and long wait times for veterans.

How: Did Not Accept Characterisation, Putting More Money Into It Without Specifics

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Q4 Fay Jones
NHS Wales Veterans
Context

Wales is the only nation in the UK not to have a veterans' commissioner. The UK Government has agreed to create and fund this post but needs support from the Welsh Government.

Question

Veterans mental health services in Wales could be greatly improved if we had a veterans' commissioner. We are the only nation in the UK not to have one. The UK Government have agreed to create and fund the post, but the Welsh Government have not yet agreed to recognise it and work with it.

Answer from Leo Docherty

I am delighted that we will have an independent veterans' commissioner in Wales, and I thank my hon. Friend for the campaigning she has done on this. We look forward to positive working with the Welsh Government to ensure a very positive outcome for veterans in Wales.

Answered
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