To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of mental health services available to veterans.
Answered on
28 January 2025
NHS England commissions Op COURAGE, an integrated mental health and wellbeing service for veterans. Op COURAGE has received over 5,000 referrals since April 2024. In addition to these services, integrated care boards commission NHS Talking Therapies, which have received over 13,400 referrals over the same time period.
In the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency, veterans can access National Health Service commissioned mental health services through their general practice (GP). Veterans can also contact Op COURAGE directly themselves, or a referral can be made on their behalf by a clinician or a family member. The service has been designed to support veterans from all areas, and is delivered from a range of locations, including NHS trusts, GPs, Poppy Shops, veteran hubs, and drop-in centres.
In England, the NHS has commissioned the veteran friendly GP accreditation programme to recognise and support practices in delivering the best possible care and treatment for patients who have served in the armed forces. This includes referrals to Op COURAGE, where it is appropriate to do so. As of January 2025, 99% of primary care networks had at least one accredited GP in their area.