What do you think of the support in Wales for armed service veterans?

23 July 2010

A new National Assembly for Wales inquiry is underway to examine what support is in place to help armed service veterans in Wales who are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The Health, Wellbeing and Local Government Committee will be looking at how veterans with PTSD are identified and treated and whether there is suitable assistance in place for them and for their families and carers.

The inquiry will also take into account the standards of services in different parts of Wales and the funding arrangements, including those with partners such as the Ministry of Defence and voluntary organisations.

“People who voluntarily put their lives on the line to protect our country and our way of life deserve all the support they could possibly need,” said Darren Millar AM, Chair of the Health, Wellbeing and Local Government Committee.

“Identifying post traumatic stress is difficult because often veterans can be affected at different times, and many will ignore or simply not understand the symptoms when they first appear.”

“My committee colleagues and I will look at how PTSD is identified and what happens next and we will be talking to a number of organisations and agencies as part of the inquiry.

“But personal submissions from people who are affected by this condition or use the services in place are always invaluable when we consider our findings.

“We would urge anyone who has an interest in these services to tell us what they think.”

Anyone wishing to submit evidence to be considered by the Health, Wellbeing and Local Government Committee should email health.wellbeing.localgovt.comm@wales.gov.uk or write to the Clerk of the Health, Wellbeing and Local Government Committee, National Assembly for Wales, Ty Hywel, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, CF99 1NA.

The closing date of submissions of evidence is Friday 3 September 2010.