The Naval, Army and RAF Families Federations have launched their ‘Duty and Care: Armed Forces Family Mobility and Health Care’ report. This report provides practical recommendations to inform and tackle disadvantage as well as improve health outcomes for families required to move frequently due to Service need.
This study, supported by NHS England and NHS Improvement and the MOD Families Team, was conducted by the Veterans and Families Institute for Military Social Research at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), and sponsored by the three Families Federations. Families have shared their experiences to form the basis of this research and as the Foreword says, “Their voices are the most important ones here”.
The recommendations were co-created by key stakeholders to identify the clearest possible lines of responsibility and accountability.
Top line recommendations are:
1. Gaining confidence of families – that the Service will support them, but the Service needs to be kept informed about any health factors that might affect postings
2. Building on existing frameworks – to support postings – ensuring that information is captured effectively
3. Encourage families to identify current and potential needs to primary care
4. Expand the education and training of all NHS staff to understand the needs of mobile military families
5. Provide more information to military families on the variable nature of the NHS, particularly when moving across devolved national borders
6. Improving transfer of information – the transfer of health care records between primary care organisations
7. Continuity of care, using remote access
8. Creating single points of contact for Armed Forces families to seek advice
9. Dentistry – look for ways to support Service families seeking dental care
To read the full report, please click on the image below:
