14th Report - Mental Health and the Armed Forces, Part Two: The Provision of Care

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government's response to the Committee's report accepts or agrees with many recommendations in whole or part, while stressing that Veterans' healthcare is devolved and that long-term veterans' care is not the MOD's responsibility.

• On staffing, it agrees with the recommendation and reports overall mental health staffing of 79% at March 2019, against 76% in April 2018. It says pay scales for MOD Clinical Psychologists "are in the process of being realigned" to better match the NHS.
• On follow-up support for Veterans after discharge, it "acknowledge[s]" the issues raised and is "looking at the best way" to follow up. It does not commit to the five-year follow-up or one-year health check, but says a new single Transition Policy will be launched "later this year".
• On a mental health centre collocated with the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre, it "would like to explore this option further in the months ahead". It does not commit to the 12 to 18 month timetable.
• On regulating charity-provided mental health care, it "welcome[s]" the recommendation and says it will take it "into consideration as part of future reviews" of CQC scope. Legislative change would follow "public consultation" if needed.

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error