EMERGING ISSUES
FAMILY ADVENTURES WITH MOUNTAIN AND SEA GUIDES
M
ountain and Sea Guides
runs adventure activities in sea kayaking, mountaineering, climbing and walking for all ages and abilities allowing Service families to spend time together. A Service discount is available.
IVF Lottery Dear RAF FF. I am so frustrated with the NHS! My wife and I were referred for fertility treatment by the SMO. We underwent one course of IVF, funded by the local Primary Care Trust, who offered three courses if necessary. My wife became pregnant with the first. I was then posted but was advised there was ‘reciprocal agreement’ in place between Trusts for further treatments. Unfortunately, we lost the baby but when we enquired at the new Trust they refused saying we ‘had had our go’.
Falling Foul of the Great Divide While in Scotland, our son was referred to a paediatrician. A referral allowed us access to occupational therapy, speech therapy, a play specialist and a health visitor which was just what we needed and we were impressed. After moving, to Oxfordshire the services were all dropped and we were placed on waiting lists. We tried in vain to get him seen but they would not budge, the authorities stating all reports from Scotland were invalid.
OUR STORIES IN RAF NEWS
Going Solo Dear RAF FF. I lost my wife a couple of years ago and realise I need to plan care for my three young children during deployments. My family can only give limited help. I could go for Preferential Treatment. I have explored childcare options and I am even considering placing them with foster carers, but am struggling to imagine the impact of this on all of us. I know I could opt for compassionate discharge, but wonder if this is the only way forward. I wanted to bring my situation to your attention so you could consider the policy implications of a widow/ widower left with small children yet keen to meet all their military obligations.
Thank goodness for the fridge magnet Dear RAF FF. During a unit visit, you handed me a fridge magnet. I took it, little knowing I would be calling on you so soon. My daughter suffers from hypermobility disorder and is suffering minor injuries and fatigue at school. After difficulties trying to liaise with staff there I withdrew her from the primary school. Imagine my horror to then learn that the school had reported me to Social Services for allegedly neglecting my daughter’s social needs. My husband was busy on RAF duties and I didn’t know where to turn. Within 24 hours you had found the help I needed.
www.raf-ff.org.uk
OFFER OF A HOLIDAY ON THE SUSSEX COAST
T
he SE Area of RAFA own a
holiday home on the coast at Selsey. It is offered as a holiday destination to RAF Serving personnel at very reasonable rates.
BEREAVEMENT GRANTS FOR ELIGIBLE SERVICE CHILDREN
T
he Armed Forces Compensation Scheme makes provision to pay bereavement grants to a
surviving partner where the death was as a result of service. In cases where a child receives the lump sum and child payment, he/she is not eligible for a bereavement grant. The MoD considers this inequitable and are changing the rules.
‘Go On-line and Get Involved’
J
enny Ward, Evidence Manager at the RAF FF,
encourages RAF serving personnel and their families to ‘Go on-line and get involved’ by completing the online surveys. Subjects include: Housing, Te RAF Way of Life and Impact of SDSR.
RESERVISTS TAKE CENTRE STAGE
T S F
he Future Reserves 2020 study
recommends Reserve Forces remain an essential part of the UK’s Armed Forces, ensuring we have Reserve Forces that meet the UKs future needs in dealing with war, natural disasters and terrorist attacks (see article).
CYBERSPACE WARNING
ervice personnel are being encouraged
to be careful when posting information on social networking sites. Maj Gen John Lorimer said: “Social networking channels are vital to communicating but posting details of ops, locations, travel details and people’s addresses could give the UK’s enemies the upper hand”.
THE RAF IS NOT CLOSED!
ollowing SDSR and the need for
the RAF is to reduce in size to a force of 33,500 by 2015, it is assumed that recruiting would stop but Gp Capt Ian Tolſts, Head of Recruiting says: “Nothing could be further from the truth! Despite the drawdown, the RAF is still looking to recruit 2,000 people this year. Please help us spread the word...
Envoy Autumn 2011 9
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