NHS National Services Scotland today (NOV 19) launched a new network to transform how Scotland cares for its 220,000 veterans.

NHS Scotland, social care partners and veterans’ charities have joined forces to ensure former servicemen and women across the country get swifter access to improved care.

For many former Forces personnel, the toughest battles come after they have returned to civilian life. The new Scottish Veterans Care Network (SVCN) will focus on improving the health and wellbeing of all those who served.

Scotland’s veterans community is at the heart of this new partnership. The SVCN will target key areas that veterans themselves have identified, such as improving mental health support and ensuring that the same high standard of support is available wherever veterans live within Scotland.

This new network is being managed by NHS National Services Scotland (NSS). Kate Burley (pictured), who is leading the programme for NSS, said: “I am delighted to support the arrival of the Scottish Veterans Care Network.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to enable positive transformation in health and well-being for veterans, their families and their wider communities.

“Our shared ambition is that all veterans across Scotland should be able to access the healthcare and support services they need, when they need it, without fear, in a way that puts them and their needs at the centre.”

Social care providers will also play a critical role, with leading veterans charities including Combat Stress and Erskine Home also bringing their experience and expertise.

Dr Lucy Abraham (pictured), clinical lead for the network, said: “Our Scottish veteran care network is working in partnership to bring together everyone involved in providing specialist care for veterans.

“Our network will work to enrich the lives of all those who have served or are serving, so that veterans can enjoy a positive state of mental and physical health and wellbeing.”

The Scottish Government is also backing the network and Veterans Minister Graeme Dey said: “The idea behind the Scottish Veterans Care Network is to ensure that we can deliver high quality services for veterans across Scotland regardless of where they are.

“We’re also seeking to raise awareness amongst the medical profession of the specific needs and the nature of our veterans community.”

Please contact nss.communications@nhs.scot to arrange interviews and get in touch with queries regarding SVCN.

Contact Information

Communications Team

NHS National Services Scotland

nss.communications@nhs.scot

Notes to editors

Visit the Scottish Veterans Care Network at https://www.veteranscarenetwork.scot/

About the network

The Scottish Government and NHS Scotland recognised the distinct needs of veterans and their requirement for specialist support from a wide range of statutory and non-statutory services.

In light of this, following a policy recommendations in 2018, the formation of a new National Strategic Network, the Scottish Veterans Care Network (SVCN) was announced. The aim of the SVCN is to bring together everyone involved in providing specialist health and social care for veterans - professionals, veterans and Third Sector organisations – in order to remove barriers to accessing care for veterans and improve the quality of care provided.

For note – NSS Connections:

Martin Bell is the Armed Forces Champion for NSS. All NHS Boards have an Armed Forces Champion

Lucy Abraham (NHS Lothian) is the Clinical Lead for Scottish Veterans Care Network (SVCN)

Kate Burley is Programme Associate Director for SVCN, and all other National Strategic Networks within National Services Division.

Andrew Clark is the SVCN Programme Manager, National Services Division.

Intended audience

There are over 220,000 Veterans aged 16 years or older residing in Scotland. Supporting and interacting with them in a professional Social and Health Care capacity are hundreds of professionals and Third Sector Organisations. The primary audience is those who will be part of the Network.

The secondary audience is those who the Network and its primary stakeholders, wish to work with;. . Some of these stakeholders will have more of an active role in the implementation of longer term Network recommendations.

Primary audience targeting for SCVN:

NHS Boards at every level ,from NHS Board Chief Executives to people supporting veterans directly.

Integrated Joint Boards (IJB’s)

Health and Social Care Partnerships (HSCP’s)

Scottish Government (SG) Policy Leads in Mental Health and Veterans care.

NHS Board Armed Forces Champions ·

Public Health Scotland,

NHS National Education Scotland

NHS 24.

· Primary Care Services – Mental Health serives ,

Ministry of Defence

Veterans

Third sector organisations/Charities

Secondary audiences (achieved via collaborative efforts of above groups):

· Wider Scottish Government leaders

Social care organisations

Local Authorities/Councils

Other Westminster Government departments – eg Department for Work and Pensions

Scottish Parliament Cross Party Groups

Academic institutions