Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that wounded soldier health and rehabilitation bills are paid for by the NHS.

Veterans are able to receive care through all NHS services and are also able to receive priority treatment for conditions relating to their service. In addition to mainstream services, Veterans can also access specific services such as the Veterans Trauma Network. Veterans are able to access high quality clinically appropriate prosthetic limbs from the National Health Service. Nine NHS prosthetic centres are in place to provide enhanced services for veterans.

In addition to these services, a new package of support for seriously wounded armed forces personnel was launched on 29 March 2019, the Integrated Personal Commissioning for Veterans Framework (IPC4V). This new pathway will ensure that individuals with very complex and enduring healthcare requirements transitioning out of the military into civilian life will continue to receive comprehensive support.

The above services (as well as some for mental health needs) are commissioned and paid for by NHS England, whereas the devolved administrations have their own arrangements for providing care to veterans.

The health needs of serving personnel are dealt with by the Defence Medical Services.