Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) has launched a new mental health service for veterans in the East of England.
The trust will work alongside the veteran’s support charity, Walking With The Wounded (WWTW), and Mental Health Matters, to deliver a Mental Health High Intensity Service for veterans.
Within the NSFT statement, the trust highlights that the service will bring an ‘exciting’ opportunity to enhance existing NHS veteran’s mental health support, as well as ensuring veterans experiencing a mental health crisis can access the right treatment at the right time.
In addition to the service, Mental Health Matters will deliver a 24/7 emotional support line for veterans in a mental health crisis.
Diane Palmer, associate director of Nursing at NSFT commented: “The Mental Health High Intensity Service will provide rapid access to specialist advice for clinicians, veteran sensitive assessments and individually tailored treatment programmes close to the veterans’ own homes. Combing the expertise of NHS Clinicians and WWTW will ensure that Veterans and their families have a care plan to address their physical, mental and social support needs.”
Fergus Williams, WWTW CEO, commented: “Walking With The Wounded is excited to be part of the NHS High Intensity Service under Op COURAGE (The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service) in the East of England, working alongside Lead Provider Norfolk & Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust and Mental Health Matters.”
Kate Davies, CBE, Director of Health and Justice, Armed Forces for NHS England, added: “We owe a special debt of gratitude to those who risk all for their country and the NHS is determined to support all veterans who experience mental ill health. Op COURAGE was developed with veterans based on lived experience and this latest high intensity service completes what is a nation-wide network so that all veterans get expert NHS support.”
