Battling it out: Veterans' experiences of health services

Healthwatch Wigan and Leigh investigated the views and experiences of 72 veterans regarding health services through engagement events and surveys.

The report found that more than three-quarters of veterans had health conditions and the majority had more than one health problem. The most commonly identified problems were addiction (particularly alcohol and particularly among veterans discharged within the last ten years) and hearing loss (across all age groups); Many veterans faced challenges in receiving adequate physical and mental health support as well as accessing information and signposting about health and care services on discharge from the armed forces; Only a third of veterans identified themselves as members of the Armed Forces Family when registering with universal services.Those who did fared better in terms of feeling that they had received appropriate information about services; Though some found it difficult to articulate, veterans life experiences do affect their relationships with and expectations of mainstream services. For this reason most veterans expressed preferences and appreciation for peer led services which they feel better understand them and therefore meet their needs better; the majority of respondents felt that the Armed Forces Covenant has not made a huge difference to their experiences in transition to civilian life. Though there were some examples of good practice.

The recommendations made in the report included that: A round-the-table dialogue between veterans and the local authority should be convened to help co-design a framework of understanding and cooperation in respect of implementing the Armed Forces Covenant; A veteran’s section on the Community Book would help people access relevant local information; All NHS and Local Authority Services should enquire if a patient/client is a member of the armed forces family at first contact, and signpost people to provide appropriate specialist support; Particular attention should be paid to those who were ‘dishonourably discharged’ and especially those who present with addiction problems as these individuals are least likely to have been adequately supported prior to discharge and during the transition process; Considering the findings on hearing loss, referring ex-service personnel for regular hearing tests may be advisable; Recognise the benefits of specialist veterans services, particularly those with an element of peer support; and More work needs to be done to help groups to reach out to wider armed forces family (ex-service women and ex-forces families).