Armed Forces Community Information Event for Front Line Staff & Community Based Medical Professionals Update key knowledge and skills to enhance day to day clinical practice Wednesday, 6th February 2013 The Royal Fusilier Museum, Moss Street, Bury It is difficult to collect accurate data on the numbers of the veteran community residing in the Heywood Middleton and Rochdale, Bury and Oldham NHS areas. What is known is that a third of the armed forces recruitment is done in the North-West and there are approximately 6,000,000 veterans. The veteran community is in excess of 10,000,000 in the UK. We understand that one person in six is a veteran in the larger towns of the North-West. Many veterans who leave the armed forces do so with little difficulty, but 4% leave with PTSD relating to service and a further 19.7% with depression. There are no definite figures on the total number of veterans in the UK at the present time, although there are estimates produced by the OCN and Royal British Legion that indicate an increasing figure for the NW, it is estimated that there are just under 15,000 veterans with in the HMR NHS boundary, just over 13,500 veterans in the Bury NHS area and approximately 15,000 veterans in the Oldham NHS area. Veterans’ are men and women who have served in the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force (Regular or Reserve), and who have now left to rejoin civilian life. Because of their military service, their healthcare needs can be different from those of other patients. Conditions of military service can affect veterans’ health. Including loss of limbs, hearing impairment, alcohol and drug misuse and Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur. . The session will have a practical focus with presentations covering 1. The issues affecting the Armed Forces Community, understanding the issues, the history and understanding the future 2. Understanding Military Veteran Mental Health - exploring IAPT and Military Veteran IAPT and the referral process 3. Introduction to the Armed Forces Community Covenant and the GP’s role in ensuring its compliance 4. Looking at Community Services – Audiology, Combat Stress, The Royal British Legion and Employment Services (Statutory and Voluntary Sector provision) 5. Clinician and patient tools – a guide to services – revealing the NHS Armed Forces Directory and TheBigWhiteWall.com 6. Understanding the impact of the Territorial Army, both patient and clinician in every day practice What next .... please complete the booking form below and join us. Booking Form Event to be held at The Royal Fusilier Museum, Moss Street, Bury Date: 6th February 2013 Times: Registration and refreshments 2.00pm Start: 2.30pm, Finish 5.00pm Title and Name: Organisation name and addrss: Position held at work: Contact e-mail (anytime): Contact day time telephone numbers; include mobile phone: Dietary requirements: Details please Vegetarian [ ] Other [ ] Please e-mail this booking form to andrea.goodall@hmr.nhs.uk to reserve your place by Monday 28th January 2013. We look forward to meeting and working with you to increase the essential skills to support Military Veterans and their families. Dr Andy Bracegirdle TD