Welsh Conservatives will today call for a comprehensive review of the progress made in improving treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder for military veterans.
The group’s opposition debate will highlight the tragic case of L/Sgt Dan Collins, the 29 year old who was found hanged on New Year’s Day in a Pembrokeshire quarry. During his time in Afghanistan, Dan Collins was shot twice and lost two close friends.
The Assembly’s Health, Wellbeing and Local Government Committee published a report in February 2011 which identified ‘problems with the diagnosis of PTSD in veterans, a lack of data, and inadequate and inappropriate services for veterans with PTSD.
Leading Wednesday’s debate, Shadow Minister for Health Darren Millar AM will recognise the commitment made by service personnel and the devastating impact that post-traumatic stress disorder can have on the lives of ex-service personnel and their families.
Mr Millar said:
“The very moving case of Lance Sergeant Dan Collins is one that will haunt me forever. The immense pressures and strains that this 29 year old must have gone through are beyond imagining.
“Dan was not alone in the troubles he faced and it is distressing to know that there are many more in the armed forces family who are also going through similar pressures.
“We owe it to Dan and his loved ones to make sure that those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder get the best services possible.
“It’s time for the Welsh Labour Government to be honest about the progress that’s been made on this vitally important issue. Last year’s committee report made a number of recommendations and we need to know what developments have since taken place.
Mr Millar went on to highlight some of the improvements needed in order to develop and advance services.
“The role of the third sector in providing services for veterans should be strengthened and expanded.
“The Welsh Government should fund pilot studies into new therapies such as neuro-linguistic programming, which is delivering promising outcomes for veterans. These programmes need to be properly evaluated to determine their effectiveness.
“It is also important that Ministers listen to veterans regarding the pathways of care which work best for them. There needs to be more of an emphasis on veteran to veteran support and calls for veteran specific residential treatment centres should be given proper consideration.
“In the Assembly election, Welsh Conservatives also fought for the introduction of an Armed Forces Card, which would have raised awareness of the priority NHS treatment available for veterans – the Welsh Government should give serious consideration to this simple proposal, which would help them meet their policy objectives.”
He added:
“Thanks to Labour, our NHS is facing the biggest cuts in its history. That must not come at the expense of PTSD sufferers.”
