Have a question?
033 3772 0409

Personal Injury Solicitors

Kent and Medway research shows ex-Armed Forces personnel need more support with health issues (4 April 2016)

Date: 04/04/2016
Duncan Lewis, Personal Injury Solicitors, Kent and Medway research shows ex-Armed Forces personnel need more support with health issues

New research by the Kent and Medway Civilian Military Partnership Board shows that Armed Forces personnel are re-adjusting well to life after service.

There are an estimated 129,000 ex-service personnel across the UK – and in 2015, just over 700 people contributed to research into how well they adjusted to “civvy street” after leaving the Armed Forces.

The research – delivered by Kent County Council’s policy team – was broken down into Health and Wellbeing, Support within the Community, Housing, Employment and Skills, and Reservists.

There are three regular Army bases in Kent – Brompton Barracks, Invicta Park Barracks and Shorncliffe Army Camp.

There are also six Reservist bases – and Kent is also home to veterans of all ages who have served in the Army, Navy and RAF.

The research shows that one-third ex-service personnel have a long-term illness or difficulty linked to time in active service – with 21% of these reporting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and 50% of the one-third having a physical disability.

The figures show that around 25% of those who responded have mental health problems and hearing impairments – and rehabilitation after injury was a particular issue for reservists and ex-service personnel, who said that the healthcare they received was “not always of the same bespoke quality as that received by serving personnel”, with services being “too generic” to adapt to their specific medical and physical needs.

A total of 37% of ex-service personnel who responded said it was not at all easy or “not very easy” to find suitable housing when they left the forces –
and although many found employment quickly, more could be done to highlight to employers the benefits of employing Reservists or ex-service personnel, including facilitating the transfer of skills from the Armed Services to civilian employment.

Lack of family and community support left some ex-services personnel without support networks particularly vulnerable to loneliness and difficulties with transition – and a number of respondents said they felt “abandoned by the Armed Forces” when they left, as many lost touch with friends and their “Armed Forces family” and struggled to integrate with the civilian community.

Kent and Medway Civilian Military Partnership Board delivers the Armed Forces Covenant.

Policy and Partnerships Adviser Tim Woolmer said:

“This was the third year the Kent and Medway Armed Forces Covenant Conference has been held, this time at the Woodville Halls in Gravesend.

“Its purpose is to promote the Armed Forces Community Covenants, signed across Kent and Medway, focusing on improving access to services for both serving and ex-armed forces personnel.

“Following the conference, it was agreed to develop clear routes for service personnel, veterans and their families to access information and support, building on an award-winning initiative implemented in Sussex.

“An action plan for the forthcoming year is also being drawn up.”

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors – No win no fee Claims Against MoD

Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors can advise serving and ex-servicemen and women who have suffered injury as a result of negligence on how to make a no win no fee claim for compensation against the Ministry of Defence (MoD), including claims relating to:

• Bullying/unprovoked assault
• Cold weather injuries
• Equipment failures
• Failure in command
• Food poisoning
• Heat injuries
• Live combat injuries
• Negligent discharge of firearm
• PTSD
• Road traffic/transport accidents
• Sexual assault
• Training injuries.

Personal injury claims usually have to be made within three years of injury or diagnosis of injury.

Duncan Lewis also offers sympathetic advice to bereaved families whose loved one has lost their life as a result of negligence while serving in the Armed Forces.

For expert legal advice on no win no fee Claims Against MoD, call Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors on 0333 772 0409.


For all Personal Injury related matter contact us now.Contact Us

Call us now on 033 3772 0409 or click here to send online enquiry.
Duncan Lewis is the trading name of Duncan Lewis (Solicitors) Limited. Registered Office is 143-149 Fenchurch St, London, EC3M 6BL. Company Reg. No. 3718422. VAT Reg. No. 718729013. A list of the company's Directors is displayed at the registered offices address. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority . Offices all across London and in major cities in the UK. ©Duncan Lewis >>Legal Disclaimer, Copyright & Privacy Policy. Duncan Lewis do not accept service by email.