A NEW mental health service specially tailored for ex-armed forces veterans and current service personnel approaching discharge has been welcomed by the UK’s oldest military charity.

NHS England launched the new mental health service known as Transition, Intervention and Liaison (TIL) this month.

It aims to help 17,500 people over the next three years to access a range of mental health services most suitable for their needs and without delay.

The Worcestershire branch secretary for SSAFA (formerly the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Families Association) Jill Hart said the initiative is an excellent idea that will help veterans with mental health issues find the help they need more quickly.

She said: “It is a really good idea and it is more than necessary that something changes. At the moment it is quite poor how things happen.

“If we think someone needs help with mental health issues we have to suggest they go to the GP or we refer them to the national charity Combat Stress. But Combat Stress is overwhelmed at the moment.

“The problem with the GP route is that some GPs do not have the knowledge or time to know what to do if it is an armed forces related issue.

“The system is not very good at the moment. If someone is in crisis, they should not have to wait to see someone. If there is a mental health crisis, they need help now. That is the first problem.

“With this new project, people will be able to see someone in two weeks. That would be good. It is speeding up the process. If you have any other issues you can be signposted to what you need. This new scheme is designed to improve it and speed up the process.”

The NHS is ploughing £9 million into TIL, which will help people to access different levels specialist treatment, support and healthcare experts.

Service personnel approaching discharge and veterans will be able to either self-refer or request referral via their GP or mental health provider or through a military charity like Combat Stress, the Royal British Legion, Help for Heroes and SSAFA.

According to NHS England, an initial face to face assessment will be offered within a fortnight and where appropriate, a clinical appointment two weeks later.

The service has been designed to help recognise some of the early signs associated with mental health difficulties and will provide access to a number of interventions, therapeutic treatments for complex problems and psychological trauma and prevent patients reaching crisis point.

It will also help tackle some of the most common mental health issues such as alcoholism, anxiety and depression and join up services across the board, working with local authorities and charities, so that the whole of a person’s needs and their families, are looked after. This might also include help and support on practical issues such as housing after discharge, as well as quick access to social care where necessary and an out of hours contact in the event of an emergency.

NHS England asked veterans, serving personnel and their families for views on what they would like to see within the new service and what it could do to build on the current provisions already available. The aim is to not only improve mental health and wellbeing but also ensure a smooth transition from armed forces healthcare to the NHS and civilian life.

Dr Jonathan Leach, Bromsgrove GP and chair of NHS England’s Armed Forces and their Families Clinical Reference Group, said: "While both as a military doctor and then as an NHS GP, I have seen patients who require quick access to care and the new service will allow that.

“A key part of the new system is helping patients to get access to the right care, as well as providing a specific service for veterans where an understanding of the military culture and what some patients may have been through, would allow them to get better and get better quicker.

“The new service has been designed following a lot of work where we have looked in detail at the needs of patients, as well as listened to their views and concerns. I am hoping that the new system will make a big difference to the health and wellbeing of veterans and also have a positive impact upon their families and those around them.”

Surgeon Commodore Paul Hughes QHP FRCGP - Commander of Defence Primary Healthcare for the Ministry of Defence - said: “I am delighted to see the launch of this service which is a result of the MOD working in close partnership with NHS England.

“It will provide seamless mental health care for service personnel in the last months of service and beyond as they transition into civilian life. This will make a real difference by ensuring that our personnel continue to receive the level of care that they both need and deserve.”

TIL has three main elements – working with armed forces personnel before their discharge; offering an intervention for veterans with complex mental health issues and a general service for veterans who may benefit from mainstream NHS mental health services.

• The TIL veterans’ mental health service will work closely with NHS services including primary care and partners in the armed forces charitable and independent sector.

• The TIL veterans’ mental health service will provide local care and treatment in a range of locations and settings and via different methods, such as Skype.

• NHS England has appointed Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust to provide TIL across the Midlands.

• The 24/7 helpline number for TIL in the Midlands is 0300 323 0139