Asked by: Lord Kamall (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Minister for Veterans on 23 April 2025 (HC47398), what further progress they have made on the rollout of Programme Cortisone.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The vision for Programme CORTISONE is to deliver a sustainable, integrated, cohesive and enduring information capability to support the delivery of evidence-based medical and dental health and healthcare outputs.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has awarded a £7.8 million contract to Leeds software company, The Phoenix Partnership to provide a modern electronic healthcare records system called SystmOne for the Armed Forces. This will digitalise military medical records and integrate MOD systems with the NHS.
Scheduled to begin its roll out in 2027, SystmOne is fully secure and compatible with the NHS, meaning that Service personnel will receive quick and seamless care between Defence and civilian health systems, including both new recruits and Service leavers transitioning in and out of the military.
It will replace outdated time-consuming processes for transfers of information between the NHS and the Defence Medical services, be more user-friendly and increase time to care for patients by improving clinical productivity and reducing the admin burden with a modern IT system.
The contract award aligns with the Defence Industrial Strategy 2025 which outlines a commitment to increase MOD spending with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Asked by: Steve Darling (Liberal Democrat - Torbay)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of access to dentistry services for (a) veterans and (b) people suffering with long-term illnesses.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We are aware of the challenges faced by many in accessing a National Health Service dentist, including people suffering with long-term illnesses, and valued members of the Armed Forces community, such as our respected veterans who have spent their careers defending our country.
We have asked integrated care boards (ICBs) to commission extra urgent dental appointments to make sure that patients with urgent dental needs can get the treatment they require. ICBs have been making extra appointments available since April 2025.
ICBs are also recruiting dentists through the Golden Hello scheme. This recruitment incentive will see dentists receiving payments of £20,000 to work in those areas that need them most for three years.
We are committed to delivering fundamental reform of the dental contract before the end of this Parliament. As a first step, on 16 December we published the Government’s response to the public consultation on the quality and payment reforms to the NHS dental contract. The changes will be introduced from April 2026. These reforms will put patients with the greatest need first, incentivising urgent care and complex treatments. Further information is available at the following link:
Free NHS dental care is available to people who meet the following criteria:
under 18 years old, or under 19 years old and in full-time education;
pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months;
being treated in an NHS hospital and the treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist, although patients may have to pay for any dentures or bridges;
receiving low-income benefits, or under 20 years old and a dependant of someone receiving low-income benefits; and
receiving War Pension Scheme payments, or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments and the treatment is for your accepted disability.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Valour Veterans' Support Programme will include working with existing social enterprises that provide advice, services and support to veterans.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The VALOUR programme will engage across a wide range of stakeholders who provide support services for veterans, including social enterprises. VALOUR Field Officers will work with these stakeholders to improve the coordination of veteran support. The programme will also work with existing organisations to ensure VALOUR Recognised Centres provide a holistic network of support centres for veterans, in areas such as health, housing, employment and finance.
Asked by: Lord Kamall (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of how the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant are being applied by (1) Op COMMUNITY, and (2) local health bodies.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
No formal assessment has been made to how the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant are being applied by Op COMMUNITY or local health bodies.
Op COMMUNITY was an NHS England funded pilot that concluded in March 2024. Insights from the pilot have been used to shape the new Armed Forces National Training and Education Programme, which aims to strengthen understanding across the National Health Service of the unique needs of the Armed Forces community.
The programme is now being rolled out across the NHS. Dedicated training modules for integrated care boards will be introduced in 2026. These will support local NHS staff in developing a clearer understanding of the specific health needs of the Armed Forces community and the principles underpinning the Armed Forces Covenant.
Asked by: Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to ensure that NHS practitioners are informed of the vulnerability to suicidal ideation of veterans impacted by Lariam; and what steps veterans can take with his Department to help improve awareness within the NHS of the nature and effects of mefloquine toxicity.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Mefloquine is recommended as an effective anti-malarial by international health agencies, including the World Health Organisation. Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the National Health Service both follow National Institute for Care and Excellence guidelines on the prescription and management of side effects associated with mefloquine.
The MOD is engaged with NHS England (NHSE) through the NHSE Armed Forces Clinical Reference Group. This group has recently reviewed the clinical management of the side effects associated with mefloquine. As symptoms can resemble acute psychiatric conditions, clinicians are advised to assess patients individually and are expected to take a full drug and alcohol history, including any previous mefloquine use.
In England, Op COURAGE and Op RESTORE provide a broad range of specialist mental health, physical and wellbeing care services to veterans, with similar services available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
I would encourage any Veteran who is struggling with their mental health to self-refer or seek the support of their GP to access Op COURAGE, the Veterans' Mental Health and Wellbeing Service. The side effects that may be experienced whilst taking, or with a history of having taken mefloquine, will be treated according to the diagnosis; for example, if the patient is experiencing depressive symptoms, the treatment for depression will be instigated.
Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to support armed forces personnel who are unable to be deployed due to mental and behavioural disorders.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) encourages personnel to consider their mental fitness as equally as important as their physical fitness promoting good mental resilience and mitigating the negative impacts of potential traumatic experiences.
The Department encourages early identification and intervention for those experiencing mental health challenges and actively promotes a culture where Personnel feel comfortable seeking help without stigma.
Personnel have access to a vast range of resources to support their mental health with both in-person and online options, briefings before, during, and post-deployment, a dedicated 24 hour phoneline for both personnel and their families and access to HeadFIT; an externally accessible website specifically designed for the Defence community. All Personnel, attend a mandated annual mental fitness brief which provides information on mental health, wellbeing, stress management, and provides signposting to appropriate help.
Personnel who are unable to be deployed due to mental health disorders are managed clinically by Defence Primary Healthcare (DPHC). DPHC provides a responsive, flexible, accessible, and comprehensive treatment service. DPHC has introduced standardised training for primary care clinicians incorporating emerging digital interventions to ensure Personnel can access initial mental healthcare at any Defence medical centre, strengthening the initial management of mental health disorders within primary care settings.
Defence Mental Health Networks (DMHNs) are located across the UK and are improving access to specialist mental health services for personnel. These specialist community mental health services provide enhanced access to expert assessment and treatment for personnel experiencing mental health disorders. By introducing new single points of access, enabling the sharing of specialist skills across network locations and consolidating clinical and governance processes DMHNs are reducing wait times to enhanced assessments and core treatment therapies.
The through life support now provided to Service personnel will have a positive impact on the veterans of the future, ensuring that Armed Forces Personnel have the psychological resilience they need to recognise mental ill-health in themselves, those around them and know how to manage it.
Defence is committed to ensuring that Service Personnel receive the care and treatment required to ensure they are fit to fight and can fight back to fitness.
Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to help prevent armed forces personnel from developing mental and behavioural disorders.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) encourages personnel to consider their mental fitness as equally as important as their physical fitness promoting good mental resilience and mitigating the negative impacts of potential traumatic experiences.
The Department encourages early identification and intervention for those experiencing mental health challenges and actively promotes a culture where Personnel feel comfortable seeking help without stigma.
Personnel have access to a vast range of resources to support their mental health with both in-person and online options, briefings before, during, and post-deployment, a dedicated 24 hour phoneline for both personnel and their families and access to HeadFIT; an externally accessible website specifically designed for the Defence community. All Personnel, attend a mandated annual mental fitness brief which provides information on mental health, wellbeing, stress management, and provides signposting to appropriate help.
Personnel who are unable to be deployed due to mental health disorders are managed clinically by Defence Primary Healthcare (DPHC). DPHC provides a responsive, flexible, accessible, and comprehensive treatment service. DPHC has introduced standardised training for primary care clinicians incorporating emerging digital interventions to ensure Personnel can access initial mental healthcare at any Defence medical centre, strengthening the initial management of mental health disorders within primary care settings.
Defence Mental Health Networks (DMHNs) are located across the UK and are improving access to specialist mental health services for personnel. These specialist community mental health services provide enhanced access to expert assessment and treatment for personnel experiencing mental health disorders. By introducing new single points of access, enabling the sharing of specialist skills across network locations and consolidating clinical and governance processes DMHNs are reducing wait times to enhanced assessments and core treatment therapies.
The through life support now provided to Service personnel will have a positive impact on the veterans of the future, ensuring that Armed Forces Personnel have the psychological resilience they need to recognise mental ill-health in themselves, those around them and know how to manage it.
Defence is committed to ensuring that Service Personnel receive the care and treatment required to ensure they are fit to fight and can fight back to fitness.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to expand mental health support services for (a) serving personnel and (b) veterans.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
All Service personnel have access to mental health support throughout their career, including medical and non-medical services. This includes, but is not limited to, preventative support such as wellbeing services, digital content, access to interventional support, and appointments with clinical staff.
For Armed Forces personnel requiring dedicated mental healthcare, the Defence Medical Services (DMS) provides a responsive, flexible, accessible, and comprehensive treatment service.
DMS has established Defence Mental Health Networks (DMHNs) across the UK to improve access to mental health services for Service personnel. These specialist community mental health services provide enhanced access to expert assessment and treatment for service personnel experiencing mental health disorders. By introducing new single points of access, enabling the sharing of specialist skills across network locations and consolidating clinical and governance processes, DMHNs are reducing wait times to enhanced assessments and core treatment therapies.
DMS has further introduced standardised training for primary care clinicians to ensure that service personnel can access initial mental healthcare at any Defence medical centre and to strengthen the initial management of mental health disorders within primary care settings.
Where personnel leaving the Armed Forces have an enduring need for mental healthcare, DMS works in partnership with the NHS to ensure continuation of care. Personnel who have been assessed and diagnosed with a mental health need are able to access Departments of Community Mental Health (DCMH) for up to six months after discharge to provide continuity of care during the transition period until appropriate handover to other services can be completed as required.
In some circumstances a DCMH Mental Health Social Worker will undertake a full assessment of transition needs, including onward referral to NHS and third sector services for continued mental healthcare.
Throughout the UK, the MOD Veterans’ Welfare Service (VWS) provides advice and support to veterans, anyone supporting a veteran, their families and dependants. The VWS works with the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, local authorities, voluntary organisations and service charities and will routinely assign a case manager and assist with engagement with other services where needed. In England, Op COURAGE and Op RESTORE provide a broad range of specialist mental health, physical and wellbeing care services to veterans, with similar services available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The VWS and Defence Transition Service deliver additional support to service leavers and their families who are most likely to face challenges as they leave the Armed Forces, including facilitating access to NHS services.
Support will also be delivered through the VALOUR programme will make it easier for veterans across the UK to access the care and support they deserve. It will connect services to help ensure veterans receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.
One of the key component parts of VALOUR is a new network of VALOUR Recognised Centres. These centres will be located across the UK and welcome veterans and the wider Armed Forces community to provide support and guidance in key areas, including health, housing and employment. Over £27 million will be available for funding to support this initiative and the first round of funding opened to applications on 10 November 2025 and closes on 14 January 2026.
The through life mental health support now provided to Service personnel will have a positive impact on the veterans of the future; we are ensuring that Armed Forces personnel have the psychological resilience training they need to recognise mental ill-health in themselves and those around them and know how to manage it.
Asked by: Alex Ballinger (Labour - Halesowen)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with the NHS on improving prevention and treatment of gambling harms among Armed Forces personnel and veterans.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence takes problem-gambling very seriously and works closely with Armed Forces personnel and Veterans who require support.
The comprehensive Defence Primary Health Care Gambling pathway within the Defence Medical Services, assesses and supports Service personnel who come forward with a gambling issue and, when required, refers them to specialist NHS gambling services and clinics. Service personnel can also self-refer into these services.
This pathway includes an assessment of gambling addiction using recognised validated assessment tools such as the Problem Gambling Severity Index. Data collected from these assessments can be used to help Defence monitor and understand the scale of gambling harms within Service personnel.
Defence engages routinely with NHS colleagues delivering specialist gambling prevention and treatment services. The Public Health Unit within Defence engages proactively with Department of Health counterparts and will continue to work cross-Government to secure the best possible evidence and insight into how to support Service personnel with gambling issues.
Veterans are eligible for gambling addiction treatment through the NHS. The Office for Veterans' Affairs in the Ministry of Defence regularly works with the third sector and academia to ensure veteran-specific needs are understood.
Asked by: Neil Coyle (Labour - Bermondsey and Old Southwark)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Department has assessed the proportion of medically discharged personnel who report feeling unprepared for civilian life.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Medical discharge process policy is delegated to the three Services to afford each of them the necessary flexibility to respond effectively to the unique and varying environments in which their people serve. However, Defence’s Tri-Service policy for medical discharge boards aligns the Services in terms of procedure and consistency of process. The board can recommend a medical category that may lead to a Service Person’s discharge from the Armed Forces.
Defence recognises the need to develop a Tri-Service Occupational Health Service to simplify policy and process, improve patient experience and support the retention of Armed Forces personnel. Work is underway to review timelines for referral to medical boards to ensure consistency across the single Services.
Our comprehensive policies and procedures facilitate a smooth discharge process, providing a timeline of actions to be taken from nine months before leaving. These actions include arranging a final medical and dental examination, meeting with a resettlement officer, submitting pension forms, and ensuring personal records are accurate. The process also includes returning Service property and identifications, taking terminal leave, and receiving a Service leavers' pack. Support is also offered through the Career Transition Partnership and Defence Transition Services (DTS), which provide help with employment, housing, health, and other aspects of transitioning to civilian life.
Defence also has a comprehensive policy in place for managing personnel who are wounded, injured, or sick, which includes coordinated support for those medically discharged. Medical discharges follow a specific process involving a medical board review, and personnel may be eligible for compensation. Before personnel leave, they are provided with a final case conference to ensure their issues are resolved or a plan is in place to manage them.
Whilst Defence has not assessed the proportion of medically discharged personnel who report feeling unprepared for civilian life, all are automatically referred to DTS or the Veterans Welfare Service (VWS). Service leavers, veterans, and their families can access support, help and information with issues that may endure beyond discharge irrespective of their reason for discharge. Healthcare support is tailored to their needs and preferences, ranging from simple transitional needs to enduring support for more complex challenges.