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NHS launches Op COURAGE

 

The Veterans’ Mental Health and Wellbeing Service, including a new emergency Veterans’ High Intensity Service

On Thursday 4 March 2021, Sir Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England and NHS Improvement, Johnny Mercer, Minister for Defence People and Veterans and Kate Davies CBE, Director of Health and Justice, Armed Forces and Sexual Assault Services Commissioning officially launched the new NHS Veterans’ Mental Health High Intensity Service (HIS), at the Veterans’ Mental Health Conference organised by Kings College London Centre for Military Health Research.

From October 2020, the HIS started to mobilise across England, providing a much- needed service for veterans who are struggling with their mental health, are in a mental health crisis and, or need, urgent and emergency care and treatment. 

 

Over the last three years, NHS England and NHS Improvement has launched the Veterans’ Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service (TILS), the Veterans’ Mental Health Complex Treatment Service (CTS) and more recently the Veterans’ Mental Health High Intensity Service (HIS).  Together these form a complete mental health care pathway. 

Informed by feedback from veterans and their families, all NHS specialist veterans mental health services will now come under one new name:  Op COURAGE: The Veterans’ Mental Health and Wellbeing Service.

Op Courage is part of a nine-point NHS plan to support the Armed Forces.  The new name makes NHS Veterans’ mental health services easier to find and access; a name that inspires hope and bravery and is inclusive and relevant to both the NHS and military life.  The change provides a simplified name with a clear ‘front door’ to care and support.

For more information, visit the NHS website or follow @NHSEngland, @NHSuk and @VeteransGovUK

#OpCourage #NHSArmedForcesHealth #MentalHealth #Veterans

For more information or interviews, please contact Solent NHS Trust Communications Team on 0300 1234 156 or communications@solent.nhs.uk   

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