Loading...
Evaluation of the NHS England ‘Op COURAGE’ High Intensity Service for military veterans with significant mental health problems
Finnegan, Alan Salem, Kate Green, Natasha Ainsworth-Moore, Lottie Ghomi, Mahdi
Finnegan, Alan
Salem, Kate
Green, Natasha
Ainsworth-Moore, Lottie
Ghomi, Mahdi
Advisors
Editors
Other Contributors
Affiliation
EPub Date
Publication Date
2023-07-14
Submitted Date
Collections
Files
Loading...
Article - VoR
Adobe PDF, 2.73 MB
Other Titles
Abstract
In November 2020, The NHS for England launched a pilot High Intensity Service (HIS) programme for treating military veterans complex mental health problems. Seven regional grants were awarded to manage the HIS, including NHS Solent, in South East England. This paper details an evaluation of the HIS, which was conducted from February 2021 to August 2022. Methods: This mixed-methods study gained quantitative data from a specifically designed questionnaire that included a number of validated psychometric questionnaires. These were completed by either HIS staff or beneficiaries at entry and exit from the HIS, and qualitative data were gained from semi-structured interviews with the HIS staff. Results: Data were sourced from 45 pre-questionnaires, 25 post programme questionnaires and 11 interviews. This evaluation identified reductions in situational stressors, symptoms and reported illnesses for veterans in crisis. There were reductions in depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder following programme exit. Staff reported that there was no notable changes in stress levels which appeared to remain high at programme exit. Staff interviews highlighted the importance of simultaneously understanding the social and psychological needs of veterans in mental health crisis. The benefits of integrating veteran staff members into military veteran health services were identified, demonstrating improvements in education around military culture in civilian services. Conclusions: The importance of collaboration between clinical and veteran staff members in veteran health services was noted, demonstrating the positive impact social care provision has on veteran’s overall health and well-being. Veteran engagement with the service was advocated as a result of veterans accessing the service feeling understood. This first independent evaluation of the HIS provides a positive reflection, and adds to the limited empirical evidence exploring veteran engagement in health services.
Citation
Finnegan, A., Salem, K., Green, N., Ainsworth-Moore, L., & Ghomi, M. (2025). Evaluation of the NHS England ‘Op COURAGE’ High Intensity Service for military veterans with significant mental health problems. BMJ Military Health, 171(1), 51-58. https://doi.org/10.1136/military-2023-002385
Publisher
BMJ Publishing Group
Journal
BMJ Military Health
Research Unit
DOI
10.1136/military-2023-002385
PubMed ID
PubMed Central ID
Type
Article
Language
Description
Series/Report no.
ISSN
2633-3767
EISSN
2633-3775