Armed Forces and Veterans Healthcare Implementation Group Minutes 16 September 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Col Kate Nicholson, Regional Clinical Director, Defence Primary Healthcare Scotland and Northern Ireland Region
• Sharon Callaghan, Operations Manager Scotland, Defence Primary Healthcare (Scotland & North)
• Robert Reid, Regional Manager Scotland and Overseas, Defence Medical Welfare Service
• Craig Murney, NHS National Services Scotland Armed Forces and Veterans Champion
• Claire Ritchie, NHS Lanarkshire Armed Forces and Veterans Champion
• Martin Bell, Veterans Scotland – Health Representative
• Ian Cumming, Third Sector Representative: Erskine
• Jo McBain, NHS Highland Armed Forces and Veterans Champion
• Kari Magee, NHS Highland
• Chris Ashworth, Office of Veteran Affairs

Official Support

• Gary Cocker, Armed Forces and Veterans Healthcare Policy Team, Scottish Government
• Stephanie Johnstone, Armed Forces and Veterans Healthcare Policy Team, Scottish Government
• Lindsey Restrick, Team Lead: Survivor Support, Scottish Government
• Mark Fergusson, Senior Policy Manager: Survivor Support, Scottish Government

Apologies

• John Harden (Chair), National Clinical Lead for Quality and Safety, Scottish Government
• Andrew Carter, NHS Borders Armed Forces and Veterans Champion
• David Miller, NHS Fife Armed Forces and Veterans Champion

Items and actions

Welcome and Introductions – Chair

Gary Cocker welcomed attendees to the meeting and noted apologies. He introduced Col Kate Nicholson as the new Regional Clinical Director for Defence Primary Healthcare and Claire Ritchie was also welcomed as the new Armed Forces and Veterans Champion for NHS Lanarkshire, replacing Craig Cunningham.

Roundtable Catch-Up – All

Ian Cumming reported the successful opening of the new activity centre in Forres, with 500 members and around 25 daily users. He noted ongoing efforts to establish a site in Fife, potentially in Kirkcaldy.

Jo McBain highlighted the successful launch of VISIN and shared learning from Operation Lazerite, noting implications for planning partnerships and assurance under the Armed Forces Covenant.

Update on Implementation Group Priorities – Stephanie Johnstone

Stephanie provided updates on the following priorities:

General Practice Armed Forces and Veterans Recognition Scheme

173 individuals have completed the training; 32 practices are registered.

A report has been finalised detailing uptake and information sources.

Outreach to Champions in Boards with no registered practices is ongoing.

The scheme has been promoted via ALISS, SG and NSS newsletters, and discussions are underway with NHS Inform and TURAS for further promotion.

Efforts are being made to accredit the scheme with CPD points and improve training interactivity.

A logo and promotional materials (posters, stickers) are in development.

Veterans In-Service Injury Network (VISIN)

Officially launched on 26 August at UHI House, Inverness.

Two referrals have been received and are being triaged.

Work is ongoing to integrate mental health into the pathway.

Thanks were extended to Jo McBain and Kari Magee for their contributions.

Covenant Standards Framework

A draft document is in development with DMWS and Kari Magee.

Five standards are proposed, including a new bereavement standard.

Engagement with Beyond the Wire is planned to inform development of a bereavement standard.

Timeline aims for publication by June 2026, pending election considerations.

Prosthetics and Orthotics Scoping

Concerns around sustainability of services were raised.

The group discussed the need to scope the current model and ensure local challenges are addressed.

Further discussion on how to progress this work is planned.

Update on MOD Interfaces – Dr Ian Thompson

Progress has been made on secure communication between NHS and MOD for serving personnel.

A data protection and information-sharing agreement is being developed.

Desktop access to NHS systems for MOD clinicians is being explored.

Support from NHS Boards and digital health teams will be required to progress.

Update on Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Pathway – Mark Fergusson

A national framework has been agreed and a draft is being finalised for Ministerial review.

Advisory Group will meet in October to review standards and specifications.

A phased launch is expected in the next financial year.

NHS Lothian is developing a new bespoke service to replace V1P, with SG funding support.

Interim arrangements are being discussed for the 8 Boards currently without provision.

Presentation on VALOUR – Chris Ashworth, OVA

Chris provided an overview of the VALOUR initiative:

VALOUR aims to coordinate veteran services across the UK without duplicating existing efforts.

Regional Field Officers (RFOs) will be aligned with NHS Boards and Local Authorities.

VALOUR Centres are planned, with criteria expected soon.

The initiative will focus on case management and feedback loops to improve service delivery.

Concerns were raised about potential duplication and the need for early engagement with Health Boards.

Key questions and discussion points raised by the group included:

Martin Bell raised concerns about the lack of overarching structure and the risk of disjointed implementation, particularly around the rushed development of bidding criteria and data capture for VALOUR Centres.

He also asked whether VALOUR would merge with existing veterans services or operate separately, and whether recruitment would be open or limited to civil servants.

Ian Thompson asked how VALOUR would ensure veterans do not have to repeat their stories and whether data standards would be developed to support service planning.

He also questioned how VALOUR would support NHS Boards in identifying service gaps and planning provision.

Jo McBain asked for clarity on whether VALOUR would serve only veterans or the wider Armed Forces community, and how feedback loops would be established to inform place-based planning.

Craig Murney suggested exploring how SCI Gateway referrals from NHS GPs could be integrated into VALOUR.

Lindsey Restrick asked for details on the pilot, including its aims, approach, success criteria, and next steps.

Chris responded that:

VALOUR will not duplicate existing services but will build on and coordinate them.

RFOs will be civil servants recruited in Scotland through open competition.

The case management system will act as a feedback loop, ensuring veterans are referred into appropriate services.

The pilot is still being scoped, with a focus on testing system components rather than the full model. Further details will be shared in due course.

Any Other Business and Date of Next Meeting

Bob Reid highlighted that Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) crews currently lack a streamlined referral or signposting pathway for patients requiring unscheduled care. To address this, DMWS is piloting a solution in NHS Lothian and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, with plans to expand. From 1 September, ambulance clinicians can refer patients directly into the service via a dedicated app.

The date of the next meeting will be confirmed by Scottish Government officials.