On Thursday 4 March 2021, Sir Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England and NHS Improvement, Johnny Mercer, Minister for Defence People and Veterans and Kate Davies CBE, Director of Health and Justice, Armed Forces and Sexual Assault Services Commissioning, NHS England and NHS Improvement, officially launched the new NHS Veterans' Mental Health High Intensity Service (HIS), at the Veterans' Mental Health Conference organised by Kings College London Centre for Military Health Research.
From October 2020, the HIS started to mobilise across England, providing a much-needed service for veterans who are struggling with their mental health, are in a mental health crisis and / or need urgent and emergency care and treatment.
Over the last three years, NHS England and NHS Improvement has launched the Veterans' Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service (TILS), the Veterans' Mental Health Complex Treatment Service (CTS) and more recently the Veterans' Mental Health High Intensity Service (HIS). Together these form a complete mental health care pathway.
All NHS specialist veterans' mental health services will now come under the name: Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service, which has been developed by veterans and their families.
Op Courage is part of a nine-point NHS plan to support the Armed Forces. The new name makes NHS veterans mental health services easier to find and access; a name that inspires hope and bravery and is inclusive and relevant to both the NHS and military life. The change provides a simplified name with a clear 'front door' to care and support.
For more information, visit the NHS website
