SNCO needs help

[AT Mov]

Hi

not sure if this one has been raised here, but another of our number in need of a hand if you can:

Fighting For Steve | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fighting-For-Steve/431065666943740)

Thanks

[Shack37]

AT Mov

It's unusual here to be without any reply so long after posting about a comrade needing help. Could be something to do with the need to join F***book. I'm not a member and have no wish to become one which may also apply to other Pruners who would otherwise be happy to help.

[salad-dodger]

same here. Good cause, but won't be joining Facebbok

S-D

[sled dog]

S D agreed, i would not join Faecesbook at any cost.

[NDW]

I'm more than happy to sign up/like this page as i'm currently on FB.

More than willing and happy to help for a cause like this.

[AT Mov]

Sorry

there is a blog page with the story, google fightingforsteve

for the story, thanks for all the likes so far, if anyone can help with Accom in London please get in touch.

[November4]

The title should read "Ex" to be honest

Bru's wife is fighting to get him proper care and a diagnosis because at the moment he has no diagnosis and no treatment other than pain relief. They asked for a second opinion back in April and the Doctor has just (last week) agreed to refer him to a specialist in London. Appointment date TBN.

This pretty much sums up the story so far....

Bethan Brunell asks for help for her war veteran husband (http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/08/04/bethan-brunell-please-help-my-war-veteran-husband-91466-31540684/#ixzz22n6ImeD9)

A war veteran’s wife has launched a campaign fighting for the rights of her husband, who was injured in Afghanistan.

Bethan Brunell claims 43-year-old Steve is “going downhill fast” as doctors try to diagnose a neurological problem, which has debilitated the former Royal Air Force sergeant, who served 22 years service as an air movement controller with tours of duty in Bosnia, Kuwait and Iraq.

In 2005, while serving in Afghanistan, Mr Brunell suffered what was perceived as a minor neck injury when he slipped down a ravine to escape what he thought was a suicide bomber. When the scare was over he returned to duty.

But 18 months later it was discovered that he had actually broken a vertebrae in his neck and the serviceman underwent surgery. His medical problems continued, and in 2009 he was given a military discharge on the grounds of ill health.

Mrs Brunell said that after being so active for most of his life, her husband struggled with civilian life and suffered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). However, he set up a health and safety business but was forced to give it up when his health deteriorated.

Confined to a wheelchair, the family, including Bethan’s daughter 18-year-old Megan, moved to a small bungalow in Pontllanfraith, Caerphilly.

And over the past 15 months, Mr Brunell has been hospitalised several times with neurological problems.

Mrs Brunell, 36, who has been married to Steve for five years, said: “Last year Steve was pumped full of anti-viral tablets and had six lumber punctures because doctors thought he had viral meningitis.

“He was discharged in August and OK for a while, until he lost his ability to do most things.

“They did tests and scans but haven’t been able to pinpoint anything apart from pockets of inflammation in the brain.”

She said that over the last month her husband has deteriorated rapidly and is now a patient at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr.

He has lost control of his limbs, which creates severe pain and muscle spasms which severely affect his hearing. He also has permanent vertigo, tinnitus, and an inability to move independently. More recently, she said, he has had hallucinations and flashbacks of war zones which frighten him.

“He is being looked after really well,” said Mrs Brunell, who has launched a web campaign to find support.

“He’s on pain killers, anti-depressants and relaxants to reduce body spasms, but he is going downhill fast.”

Her main aim is to have the veteran transferred to a specialist neurological hospital as soon as possible. There was an indication yesterday that Mr Brunell is to be referred to a consultant at the Royal Free London Hospital.

She said: “It may be that nothing can be done for Steve but I won’t be able to rest until I know everything possible has been done for him.”

A spokesman for Aneurin Bevan Health Board said: “It is often the case a patient needs to be referred to another consultant for a second opinion, or to a centre that is able to offer a higher degree of specialism than is available locally.

“In these cases it is always our hope the patient will be seen as quickly as possible but obviously the consultant receiving the referral will need to prioritise in accordance with their own waiting list.”

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: “We have worked hard to ensure our Armed Forces, veterans and their families have the support and care they need and are treated with the dignity they deserve.

“That is why we committed to rebuilding the Armed Forces Covenant and its principles are now enshrined in law, and we have made great progress over the last year with practical improvements to service life and the services available to our veterans.”

[Bill Macgillivray]

Try and get SSAFA/RBL/RAFBF involved at a fairly high level. It is suprising how this can help.

[November4]

Unfortunately...

They have been in contact with those organisations but have felt particularly let down by one of them.


For legal reasons, as much as I'd like to, I will not name and shame the organisation that has caused me to type this email with a cross face, biting a pen very hard. (http://fightingforsteve.********.co.uk/2012/08/strongly-worded-email-central.html)

[Q-RTF-X]

I admit I am without the full details however, this whole affair is more than just a little sad. I'm pretty sure that in my time there would have been a lot more help extended from service charitable organizations and indeed perhaps obtaining treatment from one of the then several RAF hospitals around the UK. Here is a man who was medically discharged just short of completing a 22 year stint. Looking at his photo he seems to have collected a few gongs on the way and it is stated he served in more than a few trouble spots; it seems that now he is simply cast aside (ceased to exist almost). There is simply no more honour in our dealings with veterans these days.

[Pete268]

Although I am not a member of Facebook (and have little reason to join), can someone who is and had access to the relevant Facebook page, please make sure that Mr and Mrs Brunell are aware of the contents of the Department of Heath NHS Circular dated December 2007, regarding Priority NHS Treatment for Veterans:

Priority NHS Treatment for Veterans (http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_081268.pdf)

This guidance updates and extends existing guidance on priority treatment for
war pensioners – HSG(97)31. From 1 January 2008, all veterans should
receive priority access to NHS secondary care for any conditions which are
likely to be related to their service, subject to the clinical needs of all patients.

For the health board to say '“In these cases it is always our hope the patient will be seen as quickly as possible but obviously the consultant receiving the referral will need to prioritise in accordance with their own waiting list.”

is not acceptable. A Veterans Priority for treatment is 'subject to clinical need' and not how long any particular consultants waiting list is.

If Mrs Brunell is not aware of the above, perhaps it could be drawn to her attention.

Pete

[November4]

Thanks Pete - message passed on.

[November4]

Another ex-serviceman who can't get the treatment he needs.

Harris Tatakis, a former corporal in the Royal Marines, received multiple injuries in an IED blast. He was discharged just over a year ago and tried to get back into his recovery centre in Plymouth after months without treatment, but says he was turned away by the MoD.

Help for Heroes is currently funding a £22m building project on the site.

He said: "I'm on the doorstep of the recovery centre and it's a shut door. Once you're discharged, they're not there for you anymore they're there for the next injured serviceman coming in."

Mr Tatakis ended up having to pay for his own twice-weekly physiotherapy sessions, but said that after a year he could no longer afford it.

Help for Heroes and MoD criticised by injured troops (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19112550)

[Shack37]

Heads-up

The report mentioned in the link is part of tonight's Newsnight program on BBC2 starting 2240.

[Blue Bottle]

Let's hope that H4H change their policy and start to look after some Vet's in need, I am sure people believe they do when they give money to this good cause.

[November4]

Sadly Bru lost his fight earlier today.

RIP mate

[Shack37]

Sadly Bru lost his fight earlier today.

RIP mate



Very sorry to hear the sad news, condolences to Mrs. Brunell, family and friends.

[Blue Bottle]

Such a shame, Rest In peace and condolences to the family and friends