F e d e r a t i o n N e w s Federation
Service Personnel
Command Paper WHAT YOU SAID
F
irst of all, a huge ‘Thank You’ to everyone who took the time to respond to our survey which
we ran for 3 weeks in March to inform the work being done by the Service Personnel Command Paper team.
A special thanks to the HIVE organisation for facilitating completion of the survey – a great example of our two organisations working together.
Whilst the questionnaire was not the most scientific of surveys, it has revealed some very interesting trends and themes which we believe the senior staffs should take note of. The results have now been passed direct to: the SPCP study team; the House of Commons Defence Committee (to inform their inquiry into recruitment and retention), the RAF Community Support staffs, the HIVE management and all OC Personnel Management Squadrons (or equivalents).
The Results The individuals who responded represented
NEWS
over 58 units from the UK, the US, SHAPE, Italy, and Gibraltar. The response rate was biased towards the non-commissioned cadre and their partners/family members but we were pleased to see personnel from SAC to Air Commodore contributing to the study.
In answer to the key questions: o 46% of respondents had failed to secure an NHS dental place within 6 months of a posting.
o 15% of respondents had failed to secure access to specialist medical treatment within 6 months of a posting.
o 8% of respondents had had to go through the appeals process to secure a place in a school of choice.
o 8% of respondents had failed to secure access to Special/Additional Needs provision within 6 months of a posting.
o 62% of respondents had considered leaving the RAF in the next year and, of those, 78% would be leaving on PVR rather than at a natural break point.
To add some colour and depth to the report, we included quotes from respondents. The full report can be found on the Federation website at:
www.raf-ff.org.uk.
FINDING A NHS DENTIST How did you resolve the problem? ”Spouse went private and children were treated free.”
”Still registered with family dentist in Newcastle upon Tyne, now at Benson.”
What do you think the Government should do?
”Arrange with a large healthcare firm to issue policy to cover spouses and family for dental and medical .” ”Provide the same on base dental care to families or do as in the US where we can go to a private dentist and only pay the NHS rate, with the MoD picking up the tab for the difference.”
MEDICAL ISSUES
”Had to wait another 18 months on another area waiting list, in pain, until surgery was available.” ”Very rough time in our marriage as no help being given in pursuing our one goal of having children.” ”Had to pay privately due to NHS inability to provide service in time.” ”There is a physio on camp but again only available for forces personnel.”
What do you think the Government should do?
”Allow families to have access to the medical facilities on base.”
EDUCATION ISSUES
What do you think the Government should do?
”Closer liaison with schools in local 16 Summer 2008
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48