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Mental Health Services: Lincolnshire

Asked by Sir John HayesConservativeDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 10 February 2025UIN 27826

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help armed forces veterans access mental health support in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock

Across England, NHS England commissions Op COURAGE, the integrated mental health and wellbeing service for veterans. The Op COURAGE Midlands service, run by the Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, covers the South Holland area.

In the South Holland and The Deepings constituency and in Lincolnshire, veterans can self-refer to Op COURAGE, or a referral can be made on their behalf by a clinician or a family member. The service has been designed to support veterans from all areas, and is delivered from a range of locations, including National Health Service trusts, general practices, Poppy Shops, veteran hubs, and drop-in centres. Elements of the service may also be provided online if this is clinically appropriate.

Whilst Op COURAGE provides a bespoke model of care for veterans, we recognise that there are some veterans who prefer to access mainstream NHS services such as Talking Therapies.

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