The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has reiterated its commitment to supporting the physical and mental health of Armed Forces personnel, following a parliamentary question posed by Jim Shannon, MP for Strangford.
In his response, Al Carns, Parliamentary Under-Secretary and Minister for Veterans, outlined the robust measures in place to ensure the wellbeing of service members.
“The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to the health and wellbeing of our Armed Forces personnel,” Carns stated. For personnel requiring medical attention, the Defence Medical Services (DMS) provide “occupationally focused primary healthcare to serving Armed Forces personnel, to ensure that they are medically fit, mentally and physically, to undertake their duties.”
This ensures that service members receive the necessary care to stay combat-ready and healthy throughout their service.
Carns also mentioned the comprehensive support available for those who are wounded, injured, or sick. “The Defence Recovery Capability is a MOD-owned capability designed to deliver programmed, command-led and coordinated support,” Carns explained.
Each individual within the programme receives a “tailored Individual Recovery Plan” to guide their recovery, either facilitating their return to duty or preparing them for a transition to civilian life.
As part of the ongoing Strategic Defence Review, Carns confirmed that the Department is actively assessing its medical capabilities, including the healthcare provided by DMS. The review is expected to report in the first half of 2025 and could potentially lead to further enhancements in the healthcare services offered to Armed Forces personnel.
All sounds a little wishy-washy to me. Warm words but where is the substance.
Within the army at least, the Royal Army Medical Services ‘corps’ has been/is being created by merger of the RAMC, QARANC and RADC.
I think that ‘Royal Army Health Corps’ might have been a better title for this new capbadge but I don’t suppose the troops were consulted.
Some think this development will substantially improve healthcare to the army.
Of course there can be no substance now – the review is not expected to report until the first half of 2025. It might have been interesting to see the Terms of reference though.
They commit to ensuring that forces personnel are healthy. Well, that’s alright then. What would they expext otherwise.🙄
Well putting it bluntly? Thats all just hot air. Veterans are, and always have been bottom of the pile for any government “support” of any shade. Reason is politicians are civilians, civilians, including civilian health “professionals” do not understand the military.
This initiative is for serving personnel only (but I doubt that an exhaustive review will just be ‘hot air’). Is that why you think Veterans’ health is being overlooked?
Expect to see some improved compensation payouts…….kind of in line with improvements in the level of armour protection that potential casualties using military vehicles should come to expect.
It was never ok to push warriors into battle without adequate protection……health and safety law implies that it might be ok if the government blocked what should be “reasonable provision”….
I doubt that such bollocks will hold water for more than a decade or so more. Lawyers are generally quite clever and governments do not deserve crown immunity.