New mental health service launched for Armed Forces veterans
Veterans’ Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison (TIL) Service Midlands and East is a partnership between the Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Partnership Trust, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, North Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Walking with the Wounded, and Mental Health Matters, established to achieve joined up care pathways for veterans across the Midlands and East.
Veterans’ Mental Health TIL Service staff include veterans and civilians with a range of relevant and professional experience. TIL will provide a responsive, innovative and high quality mental health service delivering local care through three geographically well-placed hubs. Each hub is attached to its nearest M.O.D. (Ministry of Defence) DCMH (Departments of Community Mental Health) for direct links to those veterans in transition out of HM (Her Majesty’s) service into civilian life and the care of the NHS.
Veterans’ Mental Health TIL Service will operate a24/7, 365 days per year single point of enquiry (0300 323 0137) for initial triage and flow through to the 3 service hubs for veteran-specific assessment, care planning and on to NHS treatment local to the service user.
Dan Barnard, Clinical Psychologist at the Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Partnership Trust said “This service will be staffed by skilled experienced clinicians passionate about tailoring NHS services for veterans and, in collaboration with them, enabling understanding of their mental health difficulties and getting the help they need in line with the AFCC”
Veterans’ Mental Health TIL Service philosophy is that veterans get the evidence-based treatment that they need in mainstream services appropriately adjusted to their particular needs and entitlements. If the psychological component of treatment is needed where presentations are more complex and cannot be accessed in a timely manner, the service can access accredited psychological treatment through its partnership with the Armed Forces charity and Walking with the Wounded.