new campaign "One Common Cause"

[Hitback]

The following has been running on several other sites. I noticed that this site has had several discussions about the Medical Discharge System.... or....lack off one!
See below for the outline of the idea but please be aware that the new campaign will be covering issues such as: the Medical Discharge and War Pensions System, tax relief on deployment, Un Pay, and a set tri-service Mortgage system.

Please give feedback on this idea. I have spoken with the Veterans Agency as I was Medically Discharged back in March 2007 and I'm still awaiting on my % of disability and, having to pay �50 a month on perscription charges. The VA has said that the system is not correct and the fact they are not permitted service leavers documents until their last two weeks of service causes problems in its self. If you think about it, in which other employment would you be injured and removed from their employment without knowing what their compensation package was going to be for you.

The duty of care we should all be getting from the MoD is failing. I asked the VA if I don't agree with the % of Disability I'm awarded, how long would I have to waiting to get an answer. I was informed that at present the waiting time is anything up to 12 months plus. I asked what do you expect a medically discharged person to live on, I was informed "Charity". This is why I believe the system requires to be given an overhaul, upgraded to ensure it's covering the most vulnerable service leavers.



Regards

Hitback



The current Medical Discharge system is works against the service leaver and hinders their rehabilitation in to civilian life.


On all three medical boards that are held to discuss and opt on the injured persons medical treatment and discharge, very little is discussed about the welfare, benefits, or percentage of disability the person has. I hope in this very informal paper to explain a simple method of improving the present system.


On a service persons final medical board it's important that a member of the Veterans Agency is present. All the medical documents on the person being discharged require to have been seen by the Veterans Agency at least four weeks before the final board.


The medical discharge will be done as per the normal manner but for one crucial piece of information. The degree of disability to be offered to the service leaver will be told there and then. The Service Leaver can get this redressed later if they don't agree with the percentage being offered. They can also discuss the percentage being given with the Veterans Agency person present in phase two of the discharge. It's phase two that will be of great importance to the service leaver.


Phase Two

Once phase one is over the service leaver will meet the Veterans Agency person. It will be down to this person to explain the percentage of disability and the Benefits the service leaver is entitled to.


All paperwork for a war pension is completed before the final Medical Board, Remember the Veterans Agency has had the Medical Documents for four weeks and between them and the Military Doctors have come to their findings.


All the Benefit forms; Incapacity, Mobility, Carers Allowance, housing benefits etc. These are to be filled in at this point. An exemption certificate for prescriptions is issued, this will allow the person to get their medication without any cost to themselves.



Phase Three


The discharge date once confirmed requires to go directly to the Veterans Agency. This will allow them to get all the benefits started in time for the persons discharge date. All follow up medical appointments require to be in place with the Date, Time and location of treatment before the service leaver enters civilian street. This is essential for those suffering from Mental Health Issues (PTSD). Combat Stress should be made aware of the service leaver if they have PTSD.

[Hitback]

The number of people contacting me about their medical boards and the treatment they have had has increased. I will always try and reply within the first day but please be aware there are times when it is not possible for me to get on line.
I found the following site today whilst scanning for information on PTSD and mental illness.
Ministry of Defence | Defence News | Defence Policy and Business | MOD releases latest Armed Forces mental health statistics (http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/DefencePolicyAndBusiness/ModReleasesLatestArmedForcesMentalHealthStatistics.htm)
The reason their figures were so low for the reporting period was due to the lack they weren't being reported. I stated back in 2007 that servive personnel were being discharge with no Fmed24 and the veterans welfare service for mental health were not being transferred patients details.:oh:
Military and mental health , information from the Mental Health Foundation (http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/mental-health-a-z/military-and-mental-health/)
Please read the front page and then you may understand why we need this campaign?:D

Regards
Hitback

[airborne_artist]

Mildly OT but:

having to pay �50 a month on perscription charges

Why don't you have a season ticket for prescriptions? £28 odd a quarter for all you can eat.

Link to online order form (http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/1127.aspx)

[Hitback]

Why should they have to pay for precriptions if their injuriies are due to their service history:ok:

The RBL new about and agreed to support the removal of the ALSO from veterans. It has a very real adverse effect on them and their family members. Please read the following information, a little long winded but worth it...!:ugh:


Regards

Hitback


Posted by another supporter of the campaign....

Although I have made reference to this on another thread, I do not think many War Pensioners are aware of a very recent (April 2009) change to the War Pension Scheme which could cost War Pensioners over £90 per week of their War Pensions.

The change was 'sneaked' in with the annual uprating Statutory Instrument and concerns those who receive the Allowance for Lowered Standard of Occupation - ALSO (potentially all those assessed as 40% Disabled and above).

The change is that, until now, those who receive ALSO and for either their accepted condition or any other reason, fall ill and need to claim Incapacity Benefit (or the new ESA) they could keep their ALSO allowance (in a lot of cases it was even increased as ones earnings had dropped).

With the new change, those claiming ALSO from the 6th April 2009, will now lose their ALSO if they need to claim Incapacity Beneift or ESA.

As a lot of people no longer get paid when off sick (and we are talking about disabled veterans here), this means not only do they lose their income, they also lose their ALSO (which could be upto £91.44 per week for a 40% War Pensioner)
Under ESA all they will receive is £64.30 per week for at least the first 13 weeks, possibly longer (just think about it, not only does one lose ones normal income, plus upto £91.44 ALSO they will only get £64.30 per week in exchange!!).

It unfairly penalises War Pensioners, because if a civvie is awarded Compensation for an injury, in many cases they can keep that and claim ESA/IB as well!.

Personally I think it is disgusting that this change seems to have been slipped in by Statutory Instrument (ie no debate about it) or without previous consultation. There is no mention of it on the SPVA website, so a War Pensioner would only find out when their income suddenly drops.

The change is to Article 15 of the Service Pensions Order and is in the following Statutory Instrument:
www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2...90706_en_1 (http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2...90706_en_1)


My main concern is as government have slipped this in this year, what will they 'slip in' next year to further erode War Pensions?.
The Government makes continual reference to how it has doubled the Compensation awarded under the AFCS, we are now starting to see how that is being paid for - by shafting 'old scheme' War Pensioners!.
I have written to my MP about this, can I ask others to as well?

Just as an update, this does so far only apply to new claims to the ALSO Allowance from 6th April 2009. However having made enquiries with the SPVA and my local War Pensions Committee, should a War Pensioner lose his/her ALSO (for example on review drop down to 30% so can no longer claim ALSO) as and when under further review they get back to 40% and reclaim ALSO, this new system will apply to them.

Also should for example one year their earnings exceed the ALSO level and ALSO stops, if they later drop in income and reclaim ALSO, again this will apply.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RBL reply- I have removed any names:

Thanks for your email. I'm afraid the Legion won't be able to support the drive on ALSO. This is because we were given the chance to respond to the proposed changes last December and did not feel them to be problematic or that they would affect a significant number of veterans. Therefore we cannot now criticise the changes. The MOD's reasoning, as was communicated to us at the time, is laid out below:

Allowance for Lowered Standard of Occupation – Article 15

1. Allowance for Lowered Standard of Occupation (“ALSO”) is paid to reflect loss of earnings capacity due to the disablement caused by service. It has been long term practice to abate ALSO where the individual is also in receipt of a Service Attributable Pensions (“SAP”) under AFPS 75 and equivalent payments for other groups such as reservists, on the basis that the enhanced rate of the SAP also compensates for loss of earnings.

2. To date, this has been done as a matter of policy under a general rule in the SPO that gives the power to abate war pension payments in respect of other compensation payments. To clarify matters, we now intend to amend the SPO to include a specific rule to reflect the longstanding policy to offset ALSO against the SAP.

3. ALSO is intended as an earnings supplement for those in work, but because of the wording of the rules it is also accessible by those that are not working or are incapable of work. Unemployability Allowance (“UnSupp”) is the benefit payable to those who are incapable of work because of their war pensioned disablement. UnSupp and ALSO are not payable together, but ALSO may currently be paid to someone in receipt of the DWP equivalent of UnSupp (currently Incapacity Benefit – “IB”[1]). We therefore propose to amend the wording of the relevant article to clarify the intention the ALSO should not be awarded to a person in receipt of IB or the new Employment and Support Allowance.

I hope this is clear.

xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I haven't had an invite yet!!!

My next message sent to the RBL:

The governments appeal against the two service personnel and their compensation is just the beginning of the problems for veterans and injured personnel. An example is my spinal injury- my left leg is effected by the nerve damage- would this be taken into account when giving compensation?
The problem is the lack of understanding of how injuries effect people's lives, and I mean the bigger picture, Family!

I have several ideas and options that could be introduced to aid not only the injured but also the cost effectiveness of the compensation and war pensions system. If at all possible in your working schedule to have a meeting to discus these areas?


Regards

Hitback
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Still no invite to discuss possible options for war pensioners...
I understand that the RBL has it's own direction and its own Aims but one needs to understand the needs of more recent veterains.....

RBL Reply....

Hi Hitback

Thanks for your message, and the one you sent more recently with the links to the website, which is looking good.

The Legion will be using the review of the Sickness Absence Management system to press for changes to the medical discharge system we think would be beneficial, which should be taking place this year. As such, I am afraid we will not be able to get involved in any other campaigning on this area. We will of course also be responding to the MOD's review of the AFCS, which has been brought forward, so will be able to communicate the concerns we first outlined in the Honour the Covenant campaign in this way.

You might be interested to know that we are currently developing a new campaign looking at the effect of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan on personnel and their families, which will include areas such as family breakdown and mental health, but will not focus exclusively on the impact of injuries.

Good luck with the current campaign and please do continue to send through developments and updates as they occur. I will be sure to check your website regularly for progress.

[airborne_artist]

Why should they have to pay for precriptions if their injuriies are due to their service history

Take that up with the politicians.

However, £50/month against £104 pa (full year season prescription season ticket) is a no-brainer.

[Hitback]

I never said it wasn't a good idea. However, issue an ID card system to say exempt due to service injury, would be better. And we are taking it up with MP's, this and many other issues. That's why this thread was started off.

If you go to Where can I get a pre-payment certificate? (http://www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/2422.aspx) my current employment is giving out web links to medical issues and questions. I work on complexed enquiries for the NHS.

But thank you for passing on that information to fellow veterans...

Regards

Hitback

[gingernut]

The current "prescription costs" scheme, is full of anomoloies. In England at least.

Prescriptions are automatically free in Scotland and Wales, but not England, however aproximately 90% of prescriptons are exempt.

Certain conditions automatically qualify for exemption, eg diabetes and hypothyroidism, whilst others don't, eg cancer.

Certain drugs are free, eg contraception, whilst others aren't eg blood pressure tablets.

Certain categories of people are automatically exempt, eg pregnant mums, whilst others aren't eg.

Without wishing to get into a political arguments, I can give some practical pointers:

Certain medications can be "combined" resulting in one charge rather than two. Sometimes the prescriber can issue more than one months worth of medicines on one prescription, resulting in a single charge over a period of , say, 3 months. This will depend on your clinical stability and your prescriber. 3 months seems to be acceptable in some cases, the authorities can get a little twitchy with anything more.

Pre-payment certificates can make sense, you'll have to work out what's best for you.

I sympathise with your argument, although it's probably not for me to get into the debate. There was a time when police officers got free prescriptions-does that still happen?

[kui2324]

Sorry for being off OT.

Prescription charges in Scotland are not free (yet). The intention is that by 2011 they will be, but currently it stands at £4. Clearly this is a lot less than England. But as mentioned before that's one for the politicians to sort out.

[Hitback]

The meeting in London went well. There are many areas we would like to cover, however it would be impossible to work with so many different issues.

The final list will follow very soon.:ok:

Regards
Hitback

[Hitback]

Myself and another member of the campaign have a meeting with a Shadow Defence Minister next week. I'll keep the thread updated on how we get on.

Thank you for the sites support and its users.

Regards
Hitback

The following is the new campaign topics.

One Common Cause is a unique UK alliance of veterans’ organisations, charities, campaigning groups and celebrities who are mobilising around the next General Election in 2010 to drive forward change for former and serving service personnel

By mobilising popular support across a string of events and actions, OCC will press all political parties to accept that they have obligations to help our service personnel, eradicate the difficulties that people sometimes face when transferring from the armed forces to civilian life, and to rethink some long-held assumptions. We will press political leaders to make good on their commitments by setting a binding timetable to reach these promises.

1. Medical Discharge Boards

Service personnel attending a Medical Discharge Board deserve concise advice and guidance and MDBs need to be fair and transparent. There needs to be equal footing for service personnel so they can make qualified judgements about their future after leaving the armed forces. Service personnel need to know how Medical Discharge Boards work, who sits on them, what their role is, advice about social security benefits, their rights and reliable answers about discharge. People attending these boards should also have the right to take along a nominated colleague or friend as candidates can find the Board intimidating. We also believe that there need to be set tariffs at discharge.
In addition to the above, we believe it is essential that a member of the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA) should be present at the final Board and have read through all the medical documents for the person who is being discharged.
They should have had one full meeting with this person at least four weeks before the final board, so at the final MDB, the SPVA will have all paperwork for a war pension completed. All the Benefit forms including Incapacity, Mobility, Carers Allowance, Housing Benefits etc will have been completed and if appropriate an exemption certificate for prescriptions will have been issued, this would allow the person to get any medication they require free of charge. There should be better liason between the SPVA and outside agencies such as the NHS and specialist medical advisors such as Combat Stress or Talking2Minds so that medical treatment can be seamlessly continued after discharge.

2. Service Mortgages

Service personnel leaving the forces have to deal with the sharp reality of civvy street. Where before bills were paid, accommodation needs were found and other expenses were of no worry, finding a home can be extremely difficult with little or no prospect of getting a mortgage.
On the other hand if service personnel were given a detailed brief on the mortgage system and other investments schemes being run on their behalf, life would be much simpler. Getting a mortgage on a property would also free up military accommodation. The scheme could work in partnership with a charity or high street bank.

The scheme would have multiple benefits including:
• More armed forces personnel buying property therefore less homes would need to be provided by the MoD;
• Retention of service personnel could be linked to mortgage discounts. The longer they serve the greater the discount;
• Service personnel would be able to build up their asset base from the time they can afford a mortgage;
• Financial briefings could be given on the same day as Compulsory Drug Tests (CDT's) which occur annually. The Joint Service Housing Advice Office could carry out this task.
The cost of setting up a Tri-service bank could be taken from cuts made from the £60million the MoD paid for public relations in 2008.

3. Service personnel in prison

According to the National Association of Prison Officers there are around 8,500 former members of the Armed Forces in prison – nearly one in 10 of the prison population. Another 12,000 are on probation or parole, putting the total caught up in the justice system at 20,500. Those in prison who have been entitled to a War Pension have it stopped if they receive a custodial sentence. This can bring poverty to family members who rely on the pension which has been earned by the person in jail. It is not right to penalise a family for one person’s crime – the pension should be paid to ex-armed forces personnel who find themselves in prison. It is a sad fact that some inmates might be suffering from PTSD before getting into the criminal justice system and their illness worsens because of mis-diagnosis or lack of consultation with other agencies. This can be exacerbated by knowing that money for their family is stopped while they serve their sentence.

[Hitback]

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d20/hitback/HouseofCommonsCrest.jpg

Westminster Meeting No1

My first meeting was with Andrew Murrison, MP Opposition Defence Minister. Andrew was an Officer in the army so understands the pressure and the issues this new campaign is covering. I explained the documents I had prepared for the meeting and gave a copy of the bullet points I was to use throughout the meeting. I will place a copy of those bullet points on facebook page.

We discussed in detail the medical discharge system presently being used by the armed forces. Andrew did agree that the system he remembers from his service is one sided and not on the side of the injured person.

I brought up the area of the mortgage system, which is also a part of this new campaign. I asked if the present ruling on time served in forces accommodation and buying social / housing association property could be reverted back to the old ruling, discount for these properties would include time served in SFA. There’s a need for better engagement by the JSHAO. I stated before in my last campaign that JSHAO should be on the road more. The perfect audience is when a CDT is being run on a unit.

Those that own Service Families Homes should be offering a greater discount to ex-tenants of SFA, as is the ruling for civilians in social housing / housing association properties. Time in their rented property is converted to a discount, the greater the time in it, the greater the discount.

In conclusion, the meeting went well and I hope to be seeing Andrew again in the near future. The same information was discussed with Nick Harvey MP Lib Dems, but I wasn’t going to repeat it on that entry to the thread.

This was the second meeting of the day with a Defence Minister. Nick Harvey, MP for Lib Dems has been very supportive towards the past campaign issue. He continues to ask questions in the House of Commons and is putting together an Early Day Motion (EDM), to get cross party support for the issues in this campaign. We also discussed a new venture by Richard Morris: Heropreneurs www.heropreneurs.co.uk (http://www.heropreneurs.co.uk/) the UK’s first social venture fund to help veterans and service leavers set up in business. He launched this in August and though similar to the Bright Ideas Trust www.brightideastrust.com (http://www.brightideastrust.com/) which he co-founded with Tim Campbell in 2007, this new venture is aimed at service leavers.

Photos on the facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/One-Co...242674?v=info# (http://www.facebook.com/pages/One-Common-Cause/146307242674?v=info#)
Become a fan of the campaign and get updates sent to you!
Thanks for your time.

VBest
Hitback

Andrew Murrison MP Conservative Defence Team.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d20/hitback/newcamera253-1.jpg

Nick Harvey MP Lib Dems Defence Team.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d20/hitback/newcamera255-1-1.jpg

[Hitback]

I am sorry about the FB link, it's been a little strange at present:ugh: but I will keep the site updated with any new information.

Regards
Hitback

New Update: ::oh:
The Royal British Legion tell us that research into veterans who offend is being carried by The King's Centre for Military Health Research (KCHMR). The study is looking into who have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and who are now in prison. It means that One Common Cause will stop campaigning on the area of prisoners and war pensions, at least until research has been completed and data has been analysed.

[Hitback]

Points for Westminster Meetings 13/10/2009.

1. Medical Discharge System. (On Common Cause is taking this further);)
a. Understanding of the MDB. (CD to explain process), the FMed24 needs to be explained.
b. Representation at the board. (Compliant behavior).
c. Benefits forms completed and in place before discharge date. To include priority housing if required.
d. The degree % of disability given on that MDB, this will require the SPVA to be involved earlier than normal… Any redress to the % can be done prior to the discharge date, if possible!
e. Issue an exemption certificate for prescriptions prior to discharge date.
f. Copies of all medical documents given to the injured person and future treatment plan in place before discharge.
g. The SPVA should have an online enquires service, this would allow the veteran to engage and hopefully the SPVA will gain their trust.

2. Service Mortgage System. (Big Issue looking into this):D
a. Explain system on handout.
b. Marketing could be done via the JSHAO.
c. The option to buy housing around extended family could help burden some of the problems.
d. The MoD now understands that soldiers and their family worry about their future housing needs outside the forces. This is how the Mortgage System and the rewarded fixed rate for life comes’ into play.
e. Children’s Education is also addressed as well as stability for their mental health.
f. The LSAP has too many restrictions (not able to rent out property for one) on it and is to low. £16k is more realistic.
g. Asked why time in service accommodation doesn’t count towards social housing / housing association rights to buy?

3. Service personnel in prison. (Awaiting research to be published before):oh:
a. RBL is already leading on this but the pension of Veteran Prisoners (VP) is stop as per the present ruling. This in turn causes more harm to the VP’s family.

[Hitback]

Synopsis to EDM placed below: Please pass onto friends and family... :ok:
It#s on facebook onecommoncause ...The site will not allow the site to have short cut. The wording of the EDM to follow within 24 hours.
Thanks for voting and showing your support. Please close up the email address below to send message....

Regards
Hitback
onecommoncause@hotmail . co. uk


One Common Cause

Campaign Synopsis


The following was passed onto the office of Nick Harvey to support the EDM. However the Conservative Party have failed to show their commitment: WHY?




Although the Armed Forces have been Tri-Service for some time the MoD still run three separate Medical Discharge Boards for the three Armed Forces. Service personnel go through three Boards but only attend the final one before discharge.



Having three separate Medical Discharge Boards adds to greater cost to the public purse and confusion for those being discharged.

Many service personnel have little or no idea of how these Boards work before they arrive at one –this has been the case for decades and urgently needs reform.

When service personnel arrive at the final Board they have no idea what to say, who sits on the Medical Board, or what powers these Boards have. There is very little general advice or guidance from the MoD or other agency on the process service personnel undergo, their fundamental rights or reliable answers about discharge.

There is no automatic right for personnel to bring along a nominated colleague or friend or legal adviser so candidates can sometimes make catastrophic decisions about their future lives.

The degree or percentage of disability service personnel qualify for (important for realising how much compensation they will later receive) is not told to them by the Medical Board but are informed much later. There is no medical plan for injured personnel or any appointments booked with medical staff.

The Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA) is not involved at any stage of the Medical Board process and are not permitted to see any information about service personnel going before the Board.

If the SPVA were allowed information, it would mean the necessary paperwork for a war pension for example will have been completed and information about benefits including Incapacity, Mobility, Carers Allowance, Housing Benefits etc will have been talked through.

It would mean an exemption certificate for medication (presently not issued until discharge) will have been issued which would allow personnel to get medication they require free of charge and not allow some of them to fall into poverty.

The SPVA would also be responsible for contacting outside agencies such as Combat Stress or Talking2Minds with the date, time and place of treatment before the service leaver enters civilian life. This is essential for those suffering from Mental Health Issues (PTSD). Combat Stress should be made aware of the service leaver if they have PTSD or any service related mental illness.

A story in The Times on 15 November 2009 said that 4,916 cases of mental disorder have been identified in British troops who toured Afghanistan and Iraq, while 67 who served in the two war zones had committed suicide since 2003.

While an injured person is on the SAM List or at Headley Court, they should be encouraged to start pre-release courses including advice on self employment, CV writing, Interview techniques.

The resettlement into Social Housing requires to be done at least 6 months prior to discharge.

Finally, there should be recognition of the job spouses and dependants do for those who are discharged – it is them who keep family life together when the front door closes.

By re-examining its procedures and introducing change to the present Medical Discharge System it would mean that a faster transition to civilian life would be achieved in line with the Ministry of Defence’s paper The Nation’s Commitment to the Armed Forces Community: Consistent and Enduring Support which was presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Defence in July 2009.

[Hitback]

EDM361 - Medical Discharge Boards And Armed Forces Personnel

Proposed by Nick Harvey on 03/12/2009


That this House recognises the difficulties with the current Medical Discharge system by which three medical boards discuss the injured person's medical treatment and discharge; believes that insufficiently reliable information about benefits and entitlements is available to service personnel prior to discharge, as well as information about the Discharge board process itself, which is often convoluted and conducted in an uninformative manner; notes that the appointments with the boards can often be intimidating; calls for better support from outside agencies such as the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency; and urges the Government to investigate the matter and to transform medical discharge boards so that they become fairer, more transparent and more accessible in terms of advice and guidance throughout the whole process.


The following link will make locating your MP easy.
www.parliament.uk |Home page (http://www.parliament.uk)

Please show your support by sending your MP the following.

Thank you once again for the sites support.
Regards

Hitback


Dear .........

Please sign EDM 361 Medical Discharge Boards And Armed Forces Personnel.

These are the reasons why you should sign.

Although the Armed Forces have been Tri-Service for some time the MoD still run three separate Medical Discharge Boards for the three Armed Forces. Service personnel go through three Boards but only attend the final one before discharge.

Having three separate Medical Discharge Boards adds to greater cost to the public purse and confusion for those being discharged.

Many service personnel have little or no idea of how these Boards work before they arrive at one –this has been the case for decades and urgently needs reform.

When service personnel arrive at the final Board they have no idea what to say, who sits on the Medical Board, or what powers these Boards have. There is very little general advice or guidance from the MoD or other agency on the process service personnel undergo, their fundamental rights or reliable answers about discharge.

There is no automatic right for personnel to bring along a nominated colleague or friend or legal adviser so candidates can sometimes make catastrophic decisions about their future lives.

The degree or percentage of disability service personnel qualify for (important for realising how much compensation they will later receive) is not told to them by the Medical Board but are informed much later. There is no medical plan for injured personnel or any appointments booked with medical staff.

The Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA) is not involved at any stage of the Medical Board process and are not permitted to see any information about service personnel going before the Board.

If the SPVA were allowed information, it would mean the necessary paperwork for a war pension for example will have been completed and information about benefits including Incapacity, Mobility, Carers Allowance, Housing Benefits etc will have been talked through.

It would mean an exemption certificate for medication (presently not issued until discharge) will have been issued which would allow personnel to get medication they require free of charge and not allow some of them to fall into poverty.

The SPVA would also be responsible for contacting outside agencies such as Combat Stress or Talking2Minds with the date, time and place of treatment before the service leaver enters civilian life. This is essential for those suffering from Mental Health Issues (PTSD). Combat Stress should be made aware of the service leaver if they have PTSD or any service related mental illness.

A story in The Times on 15 November 2009 said that 4,916 cases of mental disorder have been identified in British troops who toured Afghanistan and Iraq, while 67 who served in the two war zones had committed suicide since 2003.

While an injured person is on the SAM List or at Headley Court, they should be encouraged to start pre-release courses including advice on self employment, CV writing, Interview techniques.

The resettlement into Social Housing requires to be done at least 6 months prior to discharge.

Finally, there should be recognition of the job spouses and dependants do for those who are discharged – it is them who keep family life together when the front door closes.

By re-examining its procedures and introducing change to the present Medical Discharge System it would mean that a faster transition to civilian life would be achieved in line with the Ministry of Defence’s paper The Nation’s Commitment to the Armed Forces Community: Consistent and Enduring Support which was presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Defence in July 2009.


Your Respectfully

...............................

[Hitback]

Hi, This weekend has been about asking people to send their MP an email requesting them to support EDM 361. We have seen many MP's and leaders of our three main parties go to Afgan /Iraq to talk with our troops, "saying how proud they are", "how proud the country is", how they support the needs of our service personnel and their families. Well-it's time for them to stand up and be counted. I hope on Monday when they get into their office in the HofC they open their inbox and see the number of constituents asking them to support EDM 361.

Thanks again for this sites support

Regards

Hitback
onecommoncause

[Hitback]

:ok:The following MP's have now signed the EDM: Thank you to all users for requesting their MP to support our injured soldiers, airman and sailors. If your MP hasn't signed but been asked to, please email them again. Those asking local press to cover this story, if you need me help with content of the campaign just PM me.

Thank you to the site for it's support again!

Hitback


Conservative Party :ugh:
Bottomley, Peter
Open: 1 Closed: 0

Democratic Unionist Party
Campbell, Gregory
Dodds, Nigel
McCrea, Dr William
Robinson, Iris
Simpson, David
Open: 5 Closed: 0

Labour Party
Dobbin, Jim
Drew, David
Flynn, Paul
Howarth, George
Hoyle, Lindsay
Jones, Lynne
McDonnell, John
Open: 7 Closed: 0

Liberal Democrats
Breed, Colin
George, Andrew
Hancock, Mike
Harvey, Nick
Hunter, Mark
Leech, John
Oaten, Mark
Willis, Phil
Open: 8 Closed: 0

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:oh::ugh:The shocking truth is: The Covservative Party believe they are the Government of the Day and are showing their true colours. I listened to Wil Hague MP- last night on QT stating his party supported our armed forces and their families. That there is a need for deployment and to stay the course in Afganistan. But he failed to say how they'er going to support our injured serviceman! There is only one signature from the Conservative Party on the EDM, list below. I know there have been double figures sent to Conservative MPs , PM's sent and confirmation on the sites by users.

Please keep emailing your MP's and also call their office in London. Use this search engine to attain their London number. www.parliament.uk/mpsl...ndoffices/ (http://www.parliament.uk/mpsl...ndoffices/)

The list of MPs that have signed.
http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDe...px?EDMID=39921 (http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=39921)

:confused::confused::confused::ugh::ugh:
I have sent letters emails and phoned my MP's office and left messages, I also met with her last October to explain the need for this issue to be addressed. She agreed at the time but know fails to reply to my request to support EDM 361. My MP has been on the news several times talking about suicide watch for MP's when the news broke about the expenses scandal....She has two military location in her constituency but fails to support those that get injured and Medically Discharged from their employment.

This campaign is about supporting our injured soldiers, airmen and sailors when being Medically Discharged from the services. My reason for stating this is simple, this is not about attacking one party over another but ensuring they commit to changing the present MD system.

I would have to say the only reason for the lack of support by the Conservative Party is; the party whip and Mr Cameron must of told them not to support EDM 361- they believe they will have to back up the signatures if they win the next election.

Why wouldn't any political party back better care for our injured troops and their families?

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The Early Day Motion 361 explains in a very direct way why need to the present Medical Discharge System (MDS)needs to be changed. The Whitehall Paper (http://www.whitehallpages.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=283631&newlang=eng)gives no guarantees or explanation on how it will be paid for etc. If your MP has failed to sign their support, then please continue to press them.
Regards
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MEDICAL DISCHARGE BOARDS AND ARMED FORCES PERSONNEL
03.12.2009
Harvey, Nick
That this House recognises the difficulties with the current Medical Discharge system by which three medical boards discuss the injured person's medical treatment and discharge; believes that insufficiently reliable information about benefits and entitlements is available to service personnel prior to discharge, as well as information about the Discharge board process itself, which is often convoluted and conducted in an uninformative manner; notes that the appointments with the boards can often be intimidating; calls for better support from outside agencies such as the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency; and urges the Government to investigate the matter and to transform medical discharge boards so that they become fairer, more transparent and more accessible in terms of advice and guidance throughout the whole process.

Conservative Party :ugh:
Bottomley, Peter
Streeter, Gary

Democratic Unionist Party :D
Campbell, Gregory
Dodds, Nigel
McCrea, Dr William
Robinson, Iris
Simpson, David

INDEPENDENT:D
Taylor, Richard

Labour Party :D
Dobbin, Jim
Drew, David
Flynn, Paul
Hood, Jim
Hopkins, Kelvin
Howarth, George
Hoyle, Lindsay
Jenkins, Brian
Jones, Lynne
McDonnell, John
Simpson, Alan
Williams, Betty

Liberal Democrats :D
Alexander, Danny
Beith, Alan
Brake, Tom
Breed, Colin
Brooke, Annette
Campbell, Menzies
George, Andrew
Gidley, Sandra
Hancock, Mike
Harvey, Nick
Holmes, Paul
Hunter, Mark
Kennedy, Charles
Leech, John
Moore, Michael
Mulholland, Greg
Oaten, Mark
Opik, Lembit
Reid, Alan
Rennie, Willie
Rogerson, Daniel
Rowen, Paul
Russell, Bob
Stunell, Andrew
Swinson, Jo
Taylor, Matthew
Teather, Sarah
Thurso, John
Webb, Steve
Willis, Phil
Ulster Unionist Party:confused:
Hermon, Lady

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I am still waiting for a reply from Rt Hon Bob Ainsworth MP and in fact Kevan Jones MP! The UUP have stated they will follow up our concerns on this matter.
I understand there is a lot of information here but due to my systems going down or me being unable to get on line, I have placed as much as possible in this burst.
Update on the EDM 361
UK Parliament - Early Day Motions By Details (http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=39921)
One Common Cause site:
Secretary of State for Defence - One Common Cause (http://onecommoncause.co.uk/secretary-of-state-for-defence)
Whitehall paper that forced One Common cause to write to the MP.
Secretary of State for Defence - One Common Cause (http://onecommoncause.co.uk/secretary-of-state-for-defence)
The Conservatives directed me to the following sites. Military Covenant Commission (http://www.militarycovenantcommission.com/)

Regards
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Rt Hon Bob Ainsworth MP
Secretary of State for Defence

Dear Secretary of State

First let me introduce myself. As campaign director of One Common Cause, an independent campaign group for the armed forces community and before that a member of the armed forces for 22 years until invalided out, I’ve a number of concerns how Service personnel are looked after once they are injured in some way – either psychologically or psychically.
On 17 December I outlined to the to the Prime Minister the present problems with the armed forces medical discharge system and asked why the MoD hadn’t streamlined the discharge boards into one Tri-Service Medical Board System – which would save costs and needless complexities. I must say the answer I received didn’t answer my question.
However, I do have other concerns about both this discharge system and questions about the on the Government’s Improved Care for Veterans and Severely Injured Service Personnel paper. Would you be kind enough to answer the following questions:

1. Will charity funding play a large part in this whole enterprise coming to fruition and if so why? How will local Primary Care Trusts fund this?
2. How will the third sector charities be able to access funding for veterans that wish to receive therapies outside of the NHS? I have in mind specialist providers such as the Talking2minds whose therapeutic process has been designed specifically for PTSD and is achieving outstanding results?
3. Who will be the NHS interface for third sector charities that wish to engage with the NHS?
4. What organisation is going to assess the long term needs for injured service personnel and who will stipulate if an injury is most serious? As you know the cooperation between military and civilian health authorities is a new relationship
5. According to a number of sources it takes an average of 14 years to be diagnosed with PTSD. Many veterans who suffer from stress related disorders have a multiple of incorrect diagnosis over this 14 year period. How specifically is the comprehensive assessment going to be able to identify the long term needs of a mentally injured person when the existing formats for diagnostics are so inaccurate?

6. Help for Heroes is to build seven new hospitals for military personnel. What provision is there for complementary and alternative therapies within this structure and how do third sector charities interface with them.
7. What training will NHS case workers have so they can relate to the experiences, needs and the tailored psychology of those who have been in the armed forces? It worries me that we have a system where ex-Service personnel who are sent for review of their medical condition for war pension purposes are assessed by civilian staff.
With all due respect, these people have no understanding about how ex-armed forces people think especially when you recognise that they display compliant behaviour to authority have a lot of pride in themselves and to admit a weakness or ill health is difficult for a veteran to do. In the reverse of this-shown by Talking 2minds which employs ex-armed forces personnel to treat ex-armed forces personnel.
8. The grant funding of £140,000 (which is point three in the Whitehall paper) is being matched by whom? Combat Stress is changing to become more of a drug and drink rehabilitation centre so can you tell me where these centres will be based and how many sessions offered by Combat Stress will be allocated for each individual seeking their help?
9. A total of £73 million pounds has been allocated to PTSD by the Government. What percentage is annexed for third sector charities and how is this to be accessed by those charities that currently deal with veteran’s health and mental health issues?

10. Closer NHS links with full range of third sector partners and charities. Who will oversee the process and coordination? I have worked for the NHS, and I can tell you now there is a massive void in communication between one department and another that is why NHS employees feel let down and undervalued.

11. An entitlement for all veterans who have lost limbs whilst serving in the armed forces to receive, where clinically appropriate, the same standard of prosthetic limb from the NHS that they received or would receive today from Defence Medical Services as a result of major technological advances.
* What if a veteran has to loss a limb due to complications with an ongoing war pension condition.
* The word clinically appropriate allows the NHS a means in which they don't have to provide the same standard of prosthetic limb.
* Clinical would also imply that any process, therapy or technology that has not had 15 years worth of empirical data presented to Nice for its ratification will not be entertained.
My main concern would be the expected costs required to run such a scheme. The medical provision that’s in place at present for mental health is largely drug-based and CBT/EMDR orientated which is expensive and encourages dependencies compared to other systems such as that run by talking2minds.
12. Responsible Directors within each Strategic Health Authority. Is this a statement that some Directors aren't responsible within the SHA. What experience of military life is going to be required for PCT champions- it's impossible for anyone outside a military background to understand what needs are required by the armed forces, their family members and our countries veterans. It looks great on paper but not towards working strategy.
13. The requirement of all medical documentation on service leavers to be transferred to GPs. This shouldn't be selective records.
14. What is the feedback from veterans on the six mental health pilot schemes being run by the NHS? I have heard from veterans who have attended these pilot schemes, only to say they're rubbish and not enough is known about the military or what is expected of a soldier. Other credible sources such as talking2minds raised the point, in the Combat Stress Mental Health Summit in 2009, that the pilot projects do nothing different therapeutically than is already being done by Combat Stress and the NHS. When challenged the NHS representatives admitted that their current methods were not working and that charities like talking2minds should be applauded for their innovative approach in getting veterans back to health quickly.
15. Combat Stress was used not only to treat PTSD but also as a respite for the veteran and the family of that suffering person. What will be put in place to support this area in the future?
I believe I have placed enough points above but there are many more that require to be addressed. My very last question is; the government is streamlining the SPVA, which is needed at Norcross- but not in the field of SPVA Welfare Workers, their need on the ground is invaluable to the veteran and their family members. I hope this area is correct before it starts to affect the trust and working modules in place at present.

I look forward to your reply.

Respectfully yours

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One Common Cause

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The following is being organised by an ex-para reg lad. He is working very hard to get the issue of PTSD recognised and the correct treatments put in place. If you wish to come along to the March in Central London in August then put your name down. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10150098445210585&ref=mf#wallAll the best Hitback