Veterans urged to 'speak up' for extra support

Armed forces veterans in Cornwall are being urged to speak up when using health and care services, as a hospital trust is offering extra support.

The Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust holds silver Veteran Aware status, which is a programme supporting healthcare providers to understand and meet the needs of the armed forces community.

The trust said the service supported veterans with orthopaedic issues through their treatment.

Armed forces champion and progress coordinator Neill Wilson said: "If we know a patient is a veteran, we can help them in more ways than to provide just medical care."

The trust said support available included contact with an armed forces champion, as well as connecting them with charities and other voluntary agencies which could support a veteran's ongoing care.

The trust, which achieved its Veteran Aware status in 2022, said it had 22 armed forces champions.

The trust earned its silver award through the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, it said.

Anthony is one of the veterans who has been helped by the scheme. He served in the Royal Engineers as a sergeant.

After his wife died in January 2024, he said he became disengaged from society and neglected his own health.

The trust said both Cornwall Housing and adult social care offered him support but he declined and there had been a court order to repossess his home.

It said Anthony became an in-patient at one of its hospitals after collapsing at a supermarket.

Mr Wilson said he was called in to support Anthony and contacted his housing officer to prevent court action.

The housing officer managed to find safe, alternative accommodation for Anthony.

Mr Wilson said: "Success is dependent on many factors, such as resources, availability, and funding.

"Thanks to Anthony's bravery, many civilian and military agencies and charities are now involved with supporting him to ensure that he does not fall through the cracks."

Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].