Improving access to NHS veterans’ mental health services from 1 April 2023

31 March 2023

Mental health services for military veterans across the South East are coming together as one single service from 1 April 2023.

One single Op COURAGE service

Op COURAGE the NHS Veterans’ Mental Health and Wellbeing Service is the overarching name for three specialist NHS services for veterans:

  • NHS Veterans' Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service (TILS)
  • NHS Veterans' Mental Health Complex Treatment Service (CTS)
  • NHS Veterans' Mental Health High Intensity Service (HIS)

These legacy names will no longer be used and this overarching name will be used instead.

One referral team

Referrals for all three parts of this service in the South East will be processed and triaged by one central team at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

Op COURAGE will continue to offer specialist support for ex-military personnel who are finding life difficult after their time in the forces and be provided by a collaboration between the NHS and third sector across eight counties.

This support ranges from connecting veterans and their families with practical services to assist with adjusting to civilian life, through to psychological therapies that have been adapted to treat combat-related trauma.

Same high quality specialist care and treatment 

NHS assessment, care and treatment will then be provided by mental health Trusts already responsible for Op COURAGE in the region:

  • Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Oxfordshire
  • Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in Kent, Surrey and Sussex

The military charity Walking With The Wounded will continue to provide additional veteran peer support and liaison workers who have lived experience of mental ill-health following their service.

Visit the Walking With The Wounded website to find out more (opens new browser tab)

Benefits

The move is designed to remove barriers to veterans accessing timely treatment and support and help more people come forward for professional help when they are struggling with their mental health and wellbeing.

To refer to Op COURAGE South East from 1 April 2023

Veterans can refer themselves to Op COURAGE directly or they can ask for their GP or health and professional to refer on their behalf.

You can download and complete the referral form (available from 1 April) and then email it to us.

Visit: opcouragesoutheast.nhs.uk and download the referral form 

Email: gateway@berkshire.nhs.uk 

Call: 0300 365 2000 (option 4)

Find out more

Download a PDF with our answers to your Frequently Asked Questions (opens in new browser tab)

Visit the NHS website to find your local Op COURAGE service