WHAT FAMILIES HAD TO SAY
“The Armed Forces covenant is a good initiative that generally has the support of the members of the public. However its implementation varies from service provider to service provider, with the NHS being the worse possible provider when it comes to delivery on the Covenant promises. Initiatives without measurable outcomes are void of value. The NHS is failing the Covenant and all of those who serve and have served.”
“Family access to a dentist was difficult and involved a 20 mile journey, but it appears that NHS dentistry in our area is opening up and they may be able to register more locally. However I think that is a general NHS improvement more than a Covenant success.”
“My wife has had to wait for over 18 months for mental health treatment after going back to the bottom of the list after I was posted.”
“Upon our recent posting my 1 year old daughter was removed from the hospital waiting list for allergy testing and we were told we had to restart the entire process when we moved. Her appointment should have been 3 days after we moved but was cancelled when they realised we would not be there for the results. Almost 2 years later we are still waiting for the complete treatment plan to be assessed.”
“The surgery and facilities in the area we live are very good and the service has been great.”
“So much seems to depend on where you live as to how you are treated. We need a national standard agreed and applied by all. What is going to happen when the GP’s become responsible?”
“Decided to travel hundreds of miles to keep a NHS dentist close to my children’s boarding school, inconvenient but worth it as short postings make hunting for new dentist is a job I can do without.”
“Continuity of care with an on-going medical condition is extremely difficult when moving area so often. Having to explain, then re-explain time and time again only to be offered different medical opinions every time is highly frustrating and actually quite stressful and worrisome. Most people would be glad of a second opinion, whereas having had many different opinions, I’d be happy with one good one!”
“Dental facilities continue to be a significant problem. I have just come to the top of a NHS waiting list after 8 months. Only 1 year left before we move again.”
“Access to an NHS dentist in a convenient location is a problem for all people not just Service personal.”
“I have always had to pay for private dental treatment; NHS hospital care has been excellent although if I move I may have difficulty accessing certain treatments as I am being treated for cancer.”
“The Armed Forces Covenant has made no difference at all to how Service personnel, dependants or veterans are treated. Additionally, with the changes now happening in the NHS local GP groups (Clinical commissioning groups) they are not even aware of the military community or their needs as there is no representation of units GPs in these groups. Recipe for disaster and further inequalities”.
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The Armed Forces Covenant
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