Veterans report 2025

Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin  explores the experiences of veterans transitioning from military to civilian life, with a particular focus on healthcare and support services. The study is based on surveys, focus groups, and discussions with 50 veterans in the local area. 

Overall, the report finds that veterans face significant challenges during transition, which is often described as sudden and disorienting. Many participants felt that leaving the forces results in an abrupt loss of structure, identity, housing, employment support, and access to efficient healthcare services, leading to feelings of isolation and abandonment. 

The report highlights that the term“veteran” is poorly understood, both by the public and by veterans themselves. While the official definition includes anyone who has served even briefly, many participants felt this diminishes the experiences of those with longer or more intense service, and that modern veterans are often not recognised because they do not fit outdated stereotypes. 

A major theme is the difficulty veterans face accessing civilian healthcare. Compared to the military system, veterans experienced longer waiting times, problems registering with GPs and dentists, poor communication, and a lack of understanding of military-related conditions. Many reported that they are rarely asked whether they are veterans, meaning their needs are not properly identified or addressed. 

The report also identifies serious issues with transferring medical records from the Ministry of Defence to the NHS, resulting in lost or incomplete histories and delays in treatment. Mental health support was seen as particularly challenging, with veterans often reluctant to seek help and finding civilian services difficult to navigate or insufficiently tailored to their experiences. 

Beyond healthcare, veterans reported challenges with housing, employment, and adapting to civilian culture. Many lacked guidance on housing systems, struggled to translate military skills into civilian jobs, and felt misunderstood by employers. Younger veterans, in particular, were seen as vulnerable due to limited life experience outside the military. 

In terms of support networks, the report finds that while many services and groups exist, they are fragmented and poorly coordinated. Veterans consistently stated that the most effective support comes from peer-to-peer connections, as veterans feel better understood by others with similar experiences. However, access to these networks can be inconsistent and difficult to navigate. 

Despite these challenges, the report notes several positive findings. Many veterans expressed pride in their service, strong camaraderie, and appreciation for some local support groups and individual healthcare professionals. Informal veteran communities were highlighted as a key strength. 

The report concludes with clear recommendations. The most important include creating a central, well-publicised veterans’ hub, introducing a mobile outreach service, improving identification of veterans in healthcare, fixing medical record transfers, providing earlier and more practical transition support, improving coordination between support groups, and increasing training for staff on veteran awareness. It also calls for better peer support systems, clearer mental health crisis pathways, and greater recognition of veterans’ families.