Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage has welcomed the terrific progress which has been made in facilitating the rehabilitation of veterans.
Following a review by Dr Andrew Murrison MP, Ministers from the Department of Health and the Ministry of Defence have been working in collaboration to tackle the physical and mental health issues faced by former servicemen and women.
Among the numerous policies that have been introduced, a National Veterans' Mental Health Network has been established to recommend how best to deliver mental health services for ex-service personnel. For amputee veterans, nine centres across the country (including Portsmouth) have been identified for additional funding and will, in time, provide prosthetic services at the same standard as that at Headley Court.
Caroline, an enthusiastic supporter of rehabilitation efforts for ex-service men and women, said:
"We owe a lot to the people who fight for our country, many of whom suffer from long lasting mental health problems and debilitating injuries. I am delighted that the Government has shown its commitment to supporting veterans and that so many excellent programmes are being rolled out across the country.
Here in Gosport a number of organisations are helping to take care of our ex-service personnel, including Shore Leave Haslar and Alabaré Christian Care & Support. Alongside these, the schemes offered by the Government will ensure that local veterans assimilate back into civilian life as seamlessly as possible."
The Government is also supporting a number of programmes funded from the LIBOR fine, including a 24 hour veterans' mental health helpline and a therapeutic training programme in North Yorkshire. Locally, Aggie Weston's Royal Sailors Rests has recently benefited from the LIBOR fine.
You can learn more about schemes and policies for veterans on the brand new help pages of Caroline's website (Help) where you will also find links to some of Gosport's most useful websites along with advice for local business people.
