Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on the number of armed forces veterans receiving inpatient and outpatient mental healthcare in Wales.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has had no recent discussions with the Welsh Government on the number of UK Armed Forces veterans receiving inpatient and outpatient mental healthcare in Wales. The National Health Service (NHS) in Wales has responsibility for the provision of healthcare, including mental healthcare, for veterans living in Wales. The MOD works with the Welsh Government on many issues affecting veterans and, as detailed in the recently published Defence People Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2017-22, is working with partners including the Departments of Health and NHS across the UK to facilitate a better understanding of the mental health needs and priorities of the Armed Forces Community including veterans.

We encourage veterans wishing to seek help with mental health problems to visit: www.gov.uk/mental-health-support-for-the-uk-armed-forces, or call the 24-hour veterans' mental health helpline, provided by Combat Stress, on 0800 138 1619. Information and advice on services is also available through the MOD's Veterans UK or the Veterans Gateway.