A new NHS service for armed forces veterans experiencing severe mental health problems across the North of England has launched ahead of Remembrance Day this November.
The Veterans’ Mental Health High Intensity Service (HIS) provides care and treatment for veterans who are in a mental health crisis and need urgent help. It will do this by working with local mental health services that are already treating a veteran, to improve experience and outcomes for them.
The HIS is part of a new national service being rolled out across England. In the North of England, the service is being delivered in partnership between the NHS and well-established veterans’ support charities.
Together, they will work with local mental health services to provide:
- Support to crisis care services for veterans presenting in a mental health crisis
- Support during an inpatient unit stay – including access to a clinician advice line 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Care navigation – helping veterans and their carers find the local services best suited to their needs, and
- Support and care for family members and carers where they need it.
The lead provider of the new service is Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Find out more about the service on their website.