Armed Forces Services
In order for us to deliver the best care we need to know if you part of the Armed Forces Community (Regular, Reservist, Veteran, Spouse or child of a serving member). Please tell a member of staff when you are coming to the hospital in order for us to capture this information and ensure you are on the correct pathway.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly.
CAVUHB is deeply committed to ensuring that veterans and the armed forces community enjoy equitable access to the best possible healthcare and have their physical, mental and social needs properly understood and met.
NHS Wales Prosthetic and Amputee Rehabilitation services are delivered by three specialist centres in Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham. They provide enhanced prosthetic services for veterans with a forces-attributable injury living in Wales will match the leading technology provided by the MOD.
VTN Wales was established in 2019 to ensure that ex-Service Personnel who suffered physical injury as a result of their service, can access the timeliest and most appropriate care for their injuries following discharge from the Armed Forces.
Most veterans’ injuries can be dealt with using routine NHS referral pathways. However, the severity or unusual nature of some combat injuries means that veterans sometimes need specialist input that may not be available in their health board. Referrals can be made by GPs via: VeteransTraumaNetwork@wales.nhs.uk
The potential adverse impact of active military service on health and wellbeing has long been recognised with physical and psychological symptoms being commonly reported by veterans. Concerns regarding impaired health and wellbeing amongst veterans have achieved a high profile recently because of the current service demands made of military personnel.
Veterans NHS Wales offers specialised, priority service for individuals who have served in the Armed Forces, at any time in their lives and who are experiencing mental health difficulties related specifically to their military service. To self- refer please visit: Veteran Referral Form - Veterans Wales
The Pride in Veterans Standard (PiVS) has been set up by Fighting with Pride (FWP). FWP supports the health and wellbeing of LGBT+ Veterans, service personnel and their families – in particular those most impacted by the ban on LGBT+ personnel serving in the Armed Forces prior to January 2000.
As an organisation, we have signed up to this standard, committing to:
- Setting the highest standards for LGBT+ inclusion in CAVUHB.
- Having an understanding of the Armed Forces “gay ban” and the impact this has had on all those affected by it.
- Providing the best possible support to LGBT+ Veterans, serving personnel and their families.
- Aligning with the FWPs mission to ensure that LGBT+ Veterans, serving personnel and their families are fully included within the Armed Forces Covenant-the Nation’s commitment to Veterans.
Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) is an independent charity providing medical welfare to those who have, and continue to, operate on the frontline. They place trained professional welfare officers in locations throughout the UK to deliver much-needed additional support for those who are on the clinical pathway.
The Welfare Officer for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is Mike Davies who can take referrals via email or telephone.
Mike Davies:
mdavies@dmws.org.uk
07920379241
Woody’s Lodge (woodyslodge.org): Meeting place for those who’ve served in the Armed Forces or Emergency Services.
Blesma: Supports limbless veterans for the duration of their lives.
Blind Veterans UK: Supporting anyone who has served in the Armed Forces, or who has done National Service, and who is now living with significant sight loss.
Salute Her: Gender specific mental health support services for women who were harassed and/or sexually abused during military service.