Medical Discharge / War Pension Idea? SOLDIERS SUFFERING

[Hitback]

The following are ideas for making the present Medical Discharge and Veterans Agency, work for the injured soldier and not against as this hinders their rehabilitation in to civilian life. As is the case at present.

If you believe this would be a good idea or you have your own idea on how to improve the present system then let us all know.

Regards

Hitback

Idea
On all three medical boards that are held to discuss and opt on the injured persons medical treatment and discharge, very little is discussed about the welfare, benefits, or percentage of disability the person has. I hope in this very informal paper to explain a simple method of improving the present system.

On a service persons final medical board it's important that a member of the Veterans Agency is present. All the medical documents on the person being discharged require to have been seen by the Veterans Agency at least four weeks before the final board.

The medical discharge will be done as per the normal manner but for one crucial piece of information. The degree of disability to be offered to the service leaver will be told there and then. The Service Leaver can get this redressed later if they don't agree with the percentage being offered. They can also discuss the percentage being given with the Veterans Agency person present in phase two of the discharge. It's phase two that will be of great importance to the service leaver.

Phase Two

Once phase one is over the service leaver will meet the Veterans Agency person. It will be down to this person to explain the percentage of disability and the Benefits the service leaver is entitled to.

All paperwork for a war pension is completed before the final Medical Board, Remember the Veterans Agency has had the Medical Documents for four weeks and between them and the Military Doctors have come to their findings.

All the Benefit forms; Incapacity, Mobility, Carers Allowance, housing benefits etc. These are to be filled in at this point. An exemption certificate for prescriptions is issued, this will allow the person to get their medication without any cost to themselves.

Phase Three

The discharge date once confirmed requires to go directly to the Veterans Agency. This will allow them to get all the benefits started in time for the persons discharge date. All follow up medical appointments require to be in place with the Date, Time and location of treatment before the service leaver enters civilian street. This is essential for those suffering from Mental Health Issues (PTSD). Combat Stress should be made aware of the service leaver if they have PTSD.

[spike7451]

I agree that it is a good idea & sadly long overdue.On ARRSE we have helped at least 5 ex disabled soldiers who were tossed aside by the system,two of them were being made homeless along with their families by Christmas.
We raised nearly 10K so far but we should not have to do that.Our injured & their families should have the basic right to be treated like human beings,not tossed aside when the MoD have finished with them.
With the increase in operational tempo,more & more serviceman are coming home injured,not just physically but mentally.Even Ross Kemp,who has a series on Sky,will more than likely endure sleepless nights & stress but he is a actor,he has never fired a bullet in anger & he has 20 takes to get it right,A soldier has 1 take.But unlike actors,damaged servicemen cant turn off the role when the come home.

[Maggy J]

Sounds like a good suggestion to me..What do you want any of us to do?

[spike7451]

Contact all the ex-serving members you know,put the suggestion Hitback made above & see if it can be improved upon.Then,contact your MP's

[Hitback]

Thanks spike, thats what we reqiuire to do from here on. I will keep you all updated on this as it grows.

Thanks

Hitback

[Hitback]

I have been on other sites, in which this sissue has been placed. The problems that arise from this disjointed system of medical discharge is endemic throughout the armed forces. There have been issues of hurdles being placed in front of service injured personnel trying to find out what their financial prospects will be on discharge. One person spoke about not being given the F Med 24, statement of injury form (this is a mandatory document under the present system). Via a third party I was told that some SAM team commanders were making a personal judgement call on whether some people should be given this form. We must remember that the F Med 24 is the injured persons statement on all injures whilst serving, and the only form the Veterans Agency looks at in defence of the injured person.

I will keep you updated on this issue over the next couple of weeks.

Regards

Hitback

[Hitback]

Hi all,

First of all thank you for your support on the social housing campaign WE WON!

I've been working on this Campaign since my first post above. The Camapign has managed to get support from a PR company and should be getting a public launch very soon. The camapign will be renamed: One Common Cause! It will cover the Medical Discharge system and how and why it should be improved for all service personnel (TRi-Service). Better financial help for tri-service personnel with Specialised Mortgage, this would reduce the number requiring social housing! A wholesale review of the level of income tax service personnel are charged while deployed. We will also be asking about the contentious issue of UN pay for our troops. Our soldiers are the only ones not being paid their United Nation Pay! The Government gets the money though.....

I hope the site will support this campaign, as you are aware we won the social housing campaign and reform was made to the law of the land in March of this year..... All we need to do is stand together.

Regards

Hitback[COLOR="Silver"]

[bopdude]

Hi Hitback, pleased things are starting to move along.

[Maggy J]

Originally Posted by Hitback

We will also be asking about the contentious issue of UN pay for our troops. Our soldiers are the only ones not being paid their United Nation Pay! The Government gets the money though.....

I hope the site will support this campaign,

Regards

Hitback[COLOR="Silver"]

So what input do you require from us about this newest campaign?

[Hitback]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

So what input do you require from us about this newest campaign?

This is just an update. Once this has been launched to press and the campaign site is up and running we will be asking for petitions to be signed and supporters to write to their MP's asking them to support the campaign.

I am sure all those reading this thread understand the amount of administration and co-ordination required to get a national campaign off the ground. The cogs are turning slowly but please be ready to act as the QRF.

Regards

Hitback

[Maggy J]

Originally Posted by Hitback

This is just an update. Once this has been launched to press and the campaign site is up and running we will be asking for petitions to be signed and supporters to write to their MP's asking them to support the campaign.

I am sure all those reading this thread understand the amount of administration and co-ordination required to get a national campaign off the ground. The cogs are turning slowly but please be ready to act as the QRF.

Regards

Hitback

You can count on me and I'm sure a few ex service folk here at CF will support that cause as well.

[joglynne]

Not just ex service folk. I shall certainly be giving whatever support I can.

[Hitback]

Thank you from campaign team.

Regards

Hitback

[Hitback]

The British Armed Forces Federation (BAFF) www.baff.org.uk have stated they will support the new campaign and wished us all the best.

This BAFF organisation has been working to get more members and now has free part membership to their site. Take a look at their site to gain more information.

Regards

Hitback

[Hitback]

I have a meeting planned for next week. I will update the site once I have some concrete information to pass on. Anyone got a good idea for a badge OCC being the main theme.

Regards
Hitback