This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51243098
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Veterans' charity Combat Stress stops new referrals over funding crisis | Veterans' charity Combat Stress stops new referrals over funding crisis |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| A leading mental health charity for military veterans says it will not be able to take any new cases because of a funding crisis. | A leading mental health charity for military veterans says it will not be able to take any new cases because of a funding crisis. |
| Combat Stress said its income has fallen from £16m to £10m in the current financial year partly due to cuts in NHS funding support. | Combat Stress said its income has fallen from £16m to £10m in the current financial year partly due to cuts in NHS funding support. |
| The charity had been receiving around 2,000 referrals for treatment a year. | The charity had been receiving around 2,000 referrals for treatment a year. |
| The NHS said new specialist services for ex-soldiers have helped more than 10,000 people to date. | The NHS said new specialist services for ex-soldiers have helped more than 10,000 people to date. |
| But veterans' minister Johnny Mercer said he will hold an "urgent meeting" over Combat Stress' problems. | But veterans' minister Johnny Mercer said he will hold an "urgent meeting" over Combat Stress' problems. |
| The charity said that, until 2018, it was receiving more than £3m a year from NHS England. | The charity said that, until 2018, it was receiving more than £3m a year from NHS England. |
| But it said 90% of its income is now dependent on public donations. | But it said 90% of its income is now dependent on public donations. |
| The charity still receives more than £1m from NHS Scotland and it will continue to take on new cases there and in Northern Ireland. | The charity still receives more than £1m from NHS Scotland and it will continue to take on new cases there and in Northern Ireland. |
| 'Great sadness' | 'Great sadness' |
| Combat Stress - which describes itself as the UK's leading charity for veterans' mental health - said its decision not to take on any new referrals in England and Wales has been taken "with great sadness". | Combat Stress - which describes itself as the UK's leading charity for veterans' mental health - said its decision not to take on any new referrals in England and Wales has been taken "with great sadness". |
| It said it is now faced with scaling back its services and workforce and is consulting with staff about its proposals. | It said it is now faced with scaling back its services and workforce and is consulting with staff about its proposals. |
| All new referrals will now be redirected to the NHS, which Combat Stress said "needs to demonstrate" it can deal with the additional demands. | All new referrals will now be redirected to the NHS, which Combat Stress said "needs to demonstrate" it can deal with the additional demands. |
| Sue Freeth, chief executive of Combat Stress, has questioned whether NHS England will be able to cope. | Sue Freeth, chief executive of Combat Stress, has questioned whether NHS England will be able to cope. |
| She told the BBC: "I don't believe the NHS can pick this up. That is why we exist." | She told the BBC: "I don't believe the NHS can pick this up. That is why we exist." |
| Ms Freeth said 80% of veterans who come to her organisation have either used the NHS and have not had their needs met, or have felt unable to use NHS services. | Ms Freeth said 80% of veterans who come to her organisation have either used the NHS and have not had their needs met, or have felt unable to use NHS services. |
| A number of groups and charities have warned of a spike in the number of veterans taking their own lives. | A number of groups and charities have warned of a spike in the number of veterans taking their own lives. |
| Earlier this month the body of a former soldier, Jamie Davis, was found after he went missing. | Earlier this month the body of a former soldier, Jamie Davis, was found after he went missing. |
| His wife Alicia has criticised the "lack of intervention" to help him with his post-traumatic stress disorder. | His wife Alicia has criticised the "lack of intervention" to help him with his post-traumatic stress disorder. |
| Mr Davis' former commanding officer in Afghanistan has also expressed his concern. | Mr Davis' former commanding officer in Afghanistan has also expressed his concern. |
| Retired Major Richard Streatfield served in Sangin in 2010 and said Mr Davis was the fourth soldier under his command to have died at home in "similar tragic circumstances". | Retired Major Richard Streatfield served in Sangin in 2010 and said Mr Davis was the fourth soldier under his command to have died at home in "similar tragic circumstances". |
| He said the British Army and the government has a duty to dedicate time and resources to those who have been exposed to trauma. | He said the British Army and the government has a duty to dedicate time and resources to those who have been exposed to trauma. |
| An NHS statement said its "number one priority is providing the best care for veterans". | An NHS statement said its "number one priority is providing the best care for veterans". |
| The statement added that, after listening to veterans and following a competitive process, "the NHS has rolled out new specialist services to every part of the country which have seen over 10,000 people to date and are funded by more than £10m every year." | |
| You can find information and support on mental health from the BBC Action Line here. | You can find information and support on mental health from the BBC Action Line here. |