The Scottish Government has published new minutes detailing progress on a range of healthcare initiatives for forces veterans.
The minutes, released on 11 February 2026, cover the latest meeting of the Armed Forces Personnel and Veterans Health Joint Group Implementation Group, held online on 27 January. The group brings together Scottish Government officials, NHS board representatives, Defence Primary Healthcare Scotland, the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS), Veterans Scotland and third sector organisations.
Updates from the meeting highlighted growing demand on veterans services, with Erskine reporting that its Forres centre now supports around 600 members and is dealing with “increasingly complex welfare and health needs”. The charity has created a new Welfare Officer post to increase casework capacity, a move welcomed by the group’s chair as an important link between health and social care support.
The minutes also record continuing concern over financial pressures in the care home sector. Erskine warned that changes to Real Living Wage funding have created a £19 million shortfall affecting care providers, with Scottish Government officials agreeing to raise the issue through internal social care channels.
Veterans Scotland reported progress on its Project Mercury work with COSLA and local authority champions, and noted that concerns surrounding the planned VALOUR physical hubs had eased, with submissions under review and decisions expected in mid-February.
Meanwhile, the Defence Medical Welfare Service said it has expanded referral pathways involving the Scottish Ambulance Service and Police Scotland, with new links now active in Lothian and Glasgow.
NHS Highland also highlighted an example of the Armed Forces Covenant being applied to support a service person’s spouse in accessing surgery more quickly. The chair requested the relevant report be shared for wider learning.
The group discussed progress on the General Practice Armed Forces and Veterans Recognition Scheme, confirming that 53 GP practices are now registered. Work is continuing on promotion, CPD accreditation and engagement with GP practices, with NHS Inform expected to be updated with the latest participation figures.
Officials also provided an update on the Covenant Standards Framework, with a draft document expected to come to the group for comment in March and sign-off planned by May. Publication is currently expected in summer 2026, though the minutes note timelines could shift due to purdah restrictions.
On the Veterans In Service Injury Network, the group confirmed it has received the first quarterly report from NHS Highland and is working to align reporting with OP Restore to ensure consistency across UK services.
A proposal was also raised for a Scotland-based GP advocate role, similar to a model previously supported by the Royal College of General Practitioners in England. Veterans Scotland suggested that a dedicated post, potentially costing around £20,000 and supported through match funding, could significantly increase GP scheme uptake and improve Scotland-specific communications.
A major portion of the meeting focused on the development of Scotland’s Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Pathway. The minutes confirm the framework has already been approved by ministers, with finalisation underway. Several working groups have completed recommendations on peer support governance and training, as well as performance standards, while a digital hub group is due to submit final recommendations on 20 February.
The group was told that procurement work is now underway to shape regional delivery, including an initial market engagement process ahead of a formal tender. Officials said the pathway will be introduced in phases throughout 2026 to avoid disruption, with continued funding for existing veterans mental health services and Combat Stress support in areas without dedicated provision. NHS Lothian is also developing a bespoke veterans mental health service.
The minutes further note that amendments to the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme are due to come into force in April, expanding the range of professionals able to provide mental health diagnoses.
