Veterans Mental Health Advisory Group minutes: February 2026

Attendees and apologies

• Lynne Taylor (chair), Principal Psychology Officer, Scottish Government
• Martin Bell, Health and Wellbeing Lead, Veterans Scotland
• Thelma Bowers, Head of Mental health, Addiction and Learning Disability services, NHS Ayrshire and Arran/North Ayrshire HSCP
• Alexis Chappell, Chief Officer, East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership
• David Dent MBE, Vice President (Global Head of Integrated Strategy) Clinical Research, Board Advisor Help for Heroes, Trustee RBLI, Professor (Hon), former Army Nurse, Lecturer RDMC, and CISD practitioner and mental health 1st aider, War Disabled Veteran
• Linda Irvine Fitzpatrick, Strategic Lead, Scotland’s Veterans Wellbeing Alliance
• Lindsay Kirkwood, V1P Ayrshire and Arran Clinical Lead
• Linda McAuslan, Lead Nurse Psychological Therapies/Adult Psychological Therapies Manager, NHS Forth Valley
• Kari Magee, Veterans Link Scotland Chair
• Gerri Matthews-Smith, Director of the Edinburgh Napier University Centre for Military Research, Education and Public Engagement/Scottish Armed Forces Evidence and Research (SAFE&R) HUB
• Jenny Pope, Deputy Director of Workforce NHS Golden Jubilee
• Sonia Phythian, Head of Operations for Scotland, Combat Stress
• Robert Reid, Director of Services Scotland, NI and the Military, Defence Medical Welfare Service
• Julie Thain-Smith, Head of Clinical Services, Help for Heroes
• Chris Wright, National Advisor for Digital Mental Health and Head of Programme Digital Mental Health, Scottish Government (Guest)
• Ally Winford, Head of Targeted Support Unit, Population Mental Health Division, Scottish Government
• Mark Fergusson, Policy Officer, Targeted Support Unit, Scottish Government (Supporting)
• Lindsey Restrick, At Risk Groups Team Leader, Targeted Support Unit, Scottish Government (Supporting)

Apologies

• Jacqueline Berry, Allied Health Professionals / Occupational Therapy Lead, NHS Grampian
• Vicky Henderson, Aberdeenshire HSCP
• Michelle Ramage, V1P Tayside Clinical Lead

Items and actions

Welcome

The chair asked group members to confirm they were content with minutes from the December meeting and no objections were raised. As per her previous email to the group, Dr Taylor confirmed that as she was leaving Scottish Government (SG) in late March, the next meeting of the advisory group would be her last as chair.

Updates from the Scottish Government

SG officials provided an overview of the indicative project timeline from February to September 2026 which was included with the papers for the meeting.

A member noted the need to consider how the forthcoming Armed Forces Covenant standards will be embedded within the pathway. Officials confirmed they are working with the teams developing the Standards and with those overseeing the Veterans in Service Injury Network to ensure policy alignment.

It was asked whether responses to the recent request for information (RFI) procurement exercise around the regional spoke would be shared with the group. Officials confirmed that a summary will be circulated.

Action: SG officials to share the summary of RFI responses.

A member queried the rationale for undertaking the current procurement exercise with an emphasis on competition rather than collaboration. Officials advised that, based on guidance from procurement colleagues, any service valued above £135,018 requires a full procurement process, and the estimated value of the spoke contract exceeds this threshold.

A question was asked in relation to the pathway and the relationship with the UK Government’s VALOUR project. Officials stated that the Office for Veterans Affairs (OVA) has been clear that VALOUR is not intended to replace or duplicate Scottish Government provision. While the scope of VALOUR in Scotland is still being defined, officials will continue to liaise with OVA colleagues as plans develop.

Final report from the digital hub short-life working group

 An overview of the final report from the short-life working group (SLWG) on the digital hub was provided by co-chair of the group Chris Wright, National Advisor for Digital Mental Health and Head of Programme Digital Mental Health, Scottish Government.

The report looked at four core options within the report: standard NHS routes; commercial procurement; third sector delivery; and e-health. All options were considered viable other than e-heath as the standard patient management systems examined are closed systems. In terms of long-term sustainability, the SLWG group have recommended that NHS commissioning routes are the safest option.

A group member supported the recommendation on the grounds that interconnectivity across health and social care partnerships and health boards will be important.

It was mentioned that the timeframe for implementation may need to be reviewed if an NHS commissioning route is chosen as rollout for NHS systems can be lengthy.

The need to consider data flows was highlighted to balance the collection of essential information with patient confidentiality. Specialists will need to map this in detail, and SG officials may wish to record it as a potential risk.

Action: SG officials to consider adding to the risk register.

The Scottish Veterans Wellbeing Alliance have developed data partnership agreements and it insights from this process may be a useful example of the data sharing process.  A member proposed sharing insights from the agreement with the group as a useful example of the data sharing process.

It was noted that local data‑sharing agreements will remain a key consideration, as local authorities often use systems that differ from those used by health boards and health and social care partnerships. The co‑chair of the SLWG acknowledged this and stated that while system integration is necessary, a functional model with essential interlinks can be implemented initially and then be enhanced over time.

Review of the risk register and issue log

SG officials provided an overview of the updated risk register and issue log.

Noting that there is a possible change of administration in the Scottish Government, it was suggested that this should be noted as a risk.  A comment was also made that some entries in the issue log may fit better in the risk register.

Action: SG officials to consider updates to risk register and issue log and circulate for review at next meeting.

Review of the action log

 SG officials provided an overview of the action log.

Any other business

A group member informed the group of the passing of Professor Nicola Fear CBE,  Director of King's Centre for Military Health Research and Help for Heroes trustee. 

Date of next meeting: 20 April 2026