Armed forces veterans with mental health problems 'completely failed by system', MPs warn

'It cannot be right that men and women who have put their lives on the line to defend their country are having to wait a year for treatment when they are at their most vulnerable'

MPs called for action within 18 months (Getty)

Armed forces personnel and veterans in need of mental health care are being “completely failed by the system” in some cases, MPs have warned.

The House of Commons Defence Committee said it is a “scandal” that in an NHS budget of over £150bn, less than £10m annually (0.007 per cent) has been allocated to veteran-specific mental health services.

The report said the NHS should urgently consult with the Ministry of Defence (MoD)and the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre in order to establish a world-class centre for the treatment of mental injuries within the next year or 18 months.

The report, called Mental Health and the Armed Forces, Part Two: The Provision of Care, says the committee has welcomed efforts to improve care, but added: “Despite such improvements, there is no doubt that some serving personnel, veterans and their families who need mental health care are still being completely failed by the system.”

The report said: “With specific mental health care provision for armed forces families also non-existent, it is no surprise that many veterans and their families believe that they have been abandoned and that the promises made to them in the Armed Forces Covenant have not been kept.”

Committee member Ruth Smeeth said: “We acknowledge the work that the MOD and the UK health departments are doing to improve the mental health care provided to both serving personnel and veterans; but it is simply nowhere near enough.

“Fundamental issues still clearly exist, with scandalously little funding allocated to veteran-specific services, and it is unacceptable that veterans and their families should feel abandoned by the state as a result.”

Dr Chaand Nagpaul, BMA council chair, said the situation as it stands is “completely untenable”, adding: “It cannot be right that men and women who have put their lives on the line to defend their country are having to wait a year for treatment when they are at their most vulnerable.

“Therefore, we must welcome the proposals for a specialist mental health facility for veterans and service personnel that matches the standards of care that we offer to our physically injured troops.”

A government spokesperson said: “NHS England is committed to providing mental health care around the country so anyone in need of treatment can access help as close to home as possible.

“This includes bespoke services for veterans, which have been supported by an extra £10m as part of the NHS long term plan.

“At the same time, the MoD has increased spending on mental health support for those serving in the armed forces to £22m a year, and is working to tackle the stigma around asking for help throughout the military community.”

They said the government would respond to the report “in due course”.

Last year, the House of Commons Defence Committee warned the number of armed forces personnel and veterans seeking mental health care had nearly doubled over the past decade, with particularly high levels among those who fought in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Additional reporting by PA