In 2008, the Scottish Government set out its commitment to recognising the unique circumstances and sacrifices that we ask our Servicemen and women to endure, whilst similarly acknowledging the considerable contribution that they and the veterans' community make to civil society in Scotland.
At the heart of this commitment is the need to address the unique and diverse health needs for both serving military personnel and those leaving the Services as a consequence of ill-health or injury, as well as for veterans for whom a health condition may take many years to become manifest and may not be obviously linked to their period of Service.
The Scottish Government is committed to:
- extending the Priority Treatment scheme to all armed forces personnel/veterans, including Reservists.
- increasing the level of health service awareness of armed forces personnel//veterans' requirements.
- providing services for veterans and their families who experience mental ill-health.
- ensuring that injured armed forces personnel/veterans have access to State of the Art prosthetic limbs.
- increasing dental services provision in areas with increased Forces populations.
To monitor the progress of these commitments, the Armed Forces Personnel and Veterans Joint Group has been established. The group, which is chaired by the DG-Health and Chief Executive of NHSScotland, includes representatives from a wide range of stakeholders, including the Armed Forces, veterans organisations and charities, NHSScotland, the third sector and the Scottish Government Health Directorates. Meetings of the group take place every six months.
Minutes and papers from each meeting will be available to view here, alongside key documents and contact details for any enquiries. Links to other websites of interest are also provided.