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Families of servicemen and women 'need better care'

18/02/2008

Despite "world-class" clinical care for servicemen and women injured on operations the healthcare of their families and veterans is lacking.

That is the conclusion of the Commons defence committee today after it studied the clinical care of the Armed Forces.

MPs on the committee said support must go beyond the period of service and should particularly focus on the mental health of Armed Forces personnel and veterans.

Current treatment for mental health problems is described as "mixed" by the defence committee with room for improvement.

It claims there is no proper system for tracking ex-servicemen and women and making support available to them when necessary.

The committee also expressed concern with the fact that the NHS has no systematic way of identifying veterans and deciding who is eligible for priority access to healthcare.

It calls for 'wrap-around' care for veterans which ensure veterans receive the benefits to which they are entitled.

"There is no doubt that Armed Forces medical personnel do a brilliant job in treating and rehabilitating wounded Servicemen and women," said committee chairman James Arbuthnot.

"But the [Ministry of Defence] needs to do more to look after families and veterans."

He added: "We welcome the moves the government has made to extend priority access to healthcare for veterans, but too much is being left to good intentions and good luck.

"Unless the NHS can identify those who are entitled, priority access can be an empty promise. There also needs to be better recognition of the challenges Service families face."