New NHS intensive mental health support for veterans and their families

A new mental health support service for veterans and their families has been launched in the Midlands, complementing existing NHS services.

The Veterans’ Mental Health Midlands High Intensity Service (HIS) delivers an intensive package of support to veterans in crisis and their families. This community service works in conjunction with the NHS Veterans’ Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service (TILS) and the Veterans’ Mental Health Complex Treatment Service (CTS).

Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) has been appointed as the lead provider in the Midlands and will be supporting veterans in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Rutland, and Northamptonshire.

The HIS team provide a range of interventions to assist with complex mental health difficulties and will travel to support veterans and their families in their communities.

Eleanor Duke, LPFT Team Manager for the Veterans’ Mental Health Midlands HIS, said:

“As a mental health nurse and veteran, I feel passionate about leading this new service and providing military specific, sensitive advice to healthcare professionals who may be supporting veterans within their services. The HIS enhances the services already available to support veterans when they are at their most vulnerable.”

LPFT is working in partnership with Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust and Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust, as well as specialist charities Mental Health Matters and Tom Harrison House, to offer a bespoke package of care.

Paula Jelly, Regional Lead for Veterans’ Mental Health Services, said:

“The new High Intensity Service is a welcomed addition to the veterans’ support that is available in the Midlands. We have listened to veterans and their families to inform this new service, to ensure those in need have access to the very best care. We look forward to working with our partners to deliver this exciting new service which reinforces our continued commitment to delivering military sensitive support to veterans and their families.”

Johnny Mercer, Minister for Defence, People and Veterans, said:

“This service complements the existing Transition and Liaison Service and Complex Treatment Service to ensure a fully capable and professional mental healthcare provision, provided by the state alongside third sector colleagues.

“It underlines our commitment to stepping up veterans’ support across the country and I’m delighted that ex-service personnel in the Midlands will benefit from this.”

To find out more about veterans’ services in the Midlands, visit the LPFT website at www.lpft.nhs.uk/veterans