The Legion and NHS join forces to promote healthcare services available to veterans
12 November 2009
The Royal British Legion and the NHS have joined forces to inform veterans of the healthcare services available to them. The two organisations have produced an information leaflet that explains exactly what services from the NHS veterans are entitled to and how they can access them. Crucially it outlines the often forgotten right of veterans to priority treatment for Service-related conditions.
The leaflet 'Meeting the healthcare needs of veterans in England' is being sent to every GP surgery in England and the Legion will be circulating it amongst its members, welfare services and case workers.
The Legion's 'Honour the Covenant' campaign highlighted the right of veterans to priority treatment for Service-related conditions. The Legion found that when it asked war pensioners about their knowledge and experience of priority treatment in 2007, only 25% were aware of their entitlement - with very few having actually received it.
While the Legion welcomed the Government's extension of priority treatment in 2008, it remained committed to conducting further surveys to find out if the extension and surrounding publicity actually improved awareness and, most importantly, delivery of the scheme. A 2009 survey found that little had changed - 36% of war pensioners knew about priority treatment (a slight increase), while 80% of GPs knew very little or nothing at all about the scheme.
The Director General of The Royal British Legion, Chris Simpkins said: "It is a great shame that many veterans are unaware of the health services available to them. We welcome the fact that the NHS has recognised this and is going to be working in partnership with us to inform veterans of their rights. It will be important to assess the impact of this information leaflet, to ensure it has the desired effect in raising awareness of veterans' rights."
The Minister for Health, Mike O'Brien said, "Our Service men and women do an outstanding job and we all owe them a debt of gratitude and a duty of care, therefore, it is crucial they are aware of the excellent care to which they are entitled.
"This leaflet provides important health information to veterans making them aware of priority treatment arrangements, the importance of registering with a GP and signposts where they can get additional help if they have concerns about mental health.
"We will continue to work with organisations like The Royal British Legion, who have a vital role to play by informing its members of the health services available to them."
The Ministry of Defence is also backing the leaflet. Veterans Minister, Kevan Jones commented: "The government is committed to providing the best care possible for our troops and their families. We have worked hard to introduce new welfare initiatives, particularly in health care, and it is important that our people know where and how to access them. We work closely with The Royal British Legion and other government departments in supporting our Armed Forces and making sure they receive the support that they deserve. I am grateful to the Legion for this initiative and all their support."
Notes to Editors
For further information contact:
The Royal British Legion: Ed Lloyd Owen, Press Officer
T: 0203 207 2243 M: 07824301072 E: elloydowen@britishlegion.org.uk
The Department for Health: Maria Mansfeld, Press Officer
T: 020 72105010 M: 0776 700 5462 E: maria.mansfeld@dh.gsi.gov.uk
Background information on the NHS leaflet and Priority Treatment Scheme:
- In 1953, veterans ceased to benefit from treatment in hospitals run by the Ministry of Pensions, which had provided dedicated services for ex-Service personnel and war pensioners. This was mainly due to the introduction of the NHS and a reduction in the number of veterans requiring treatment. At this time, treatment for war pensioners was transferred to the NHS, including the financial responsibility for treatment. As a concession, and in recognition of their Service and sacrifice, war pensioners were awarded priority treatment. Priority treatment applies to both in- and out-patient care and to equipment such as hearing aids; it also includes free prescriptions and other equipment for the related condition. The decision to grant priority treatment rests with the patient's clinician and is always second to clinical need, to ensure care is delivered where it is most urgently needed.
- A war pensioner is anyone who has been found to have a condition (illness or injury) attributed to their Service in the military – either under the War Pension Scheme or the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (introduced in April 2005).
- In November 2007 Alan Johnson (the then Health Secretary) and Derek Twigg (the then Veteran Minister) announced that as of 1 January 2008 all Service personnel needing treatment for a Service-related injury, not just those in receipt of a war pension, would receive priority treatment. The Legion welcomed this but still said that the Government must ensure that people (veterans and healthcare workers) know about the scheme.
