Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the provision of mental health support services for veterans in (a) Cramlington and Killingworth constituency and (b) the North East.

No specific assessment has been made. Op COURAGE is the existing veterans’ mental health and wellbeing service. The mental health service provided by Op COURAGE includes access to dedicated support for those presenting with substance misuse and other addictions such as gambling. We would encourage any veterans living in the North of England who wish to access this service to contact Op COURAGE via phone or email, with further information available at the following link:

https://www.tewv.nhs.uk/services/op-courage/

More widely, we are aware that many people with mental health issues are not getting the support or care they need. That is why we will recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers to reduce delays and provide faster treatment, so people can access high quality mental health support when they need it. Improved mental health services will benefit veterans as well as the wider population.

The King’s speech confirmed our intention to bring forward a Mental Health Bill to give patients greater choice, autonomy, enhanced rights and support, and ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect throughout treatment.