The health needs and experiences of military families in Wiltshire

Healthwatch Wiltshire was commissioned by Wiltshire County Council to research the health needs and experiences of military families in Wiltshire.  They spoke to 403 people via a variety of methods.

Military families in Wiltshire face significant barriers when accessing health and social care. A key driver of their difficulties is loneliness, which can damage physical and mental health, and reduce resilience. Frequent relocations, extended deployments, and separation from family life, all create a pervasive sense of loneliness.

Military families move locations approximately every 2-3 years, sometimes more frequently. The research indicates that this disruption causes significant anxiety and disruption to support networks.

The survey found that parents said that 41% of children found the move into Wiltshire to be difficult.  The constant moving is causing children social, emotional, and mental health issues, which in turn can create disruptive behaviour at school. It is a challenge for schools to afford enough extra staff to support these children.

Constant moving results in some military family children with SEND going from one waiting list to another, never reaching the top and getting the support they need, despite the commitments in the Armed Forces Covenant.

Respondents felt that a number of barriers prevent them from being healthy and accessing good healthcare:

An integration programme for families provided by the military which isn't comprehensive

• Limited training and ‘in-reach’ of military Welfare Officers
• Underdeveloped support for spouses experiencing domestic violence and abuse
• Underdeveloped support for safeguarding
• The stigma of reporting welfare and mental health difficulties
• Military families whose primary language isn’t English, or who have a strong cultural heritage, can face additional barriers.
• Spouses aren't given information directly by the Army and find their career can be disrupted by the regular moves.
• Lack of access to healthcare specialists for military families, including NHS dentists and health visitors
• Rural isolation
• Barriers to support for mental health

The research explores alcohol misuse and smoking and vaping.

Often, it’s the partner of the person misusing alcohol who asks for help. By the time help is requested, damage has already been done.

High rates rate of vaping and lower rate of people wishing to quit is still notable. This indicates that some education work (about the harms of both type of smoking) is required.