Veterans’ Minister Johnny Mercer MP met with former armed forces personnel at a session held at Evelina Hospital last week.
The Cabinet Minister paid tribute to Guy’s and St Thomas’ Armed Forces programme which helps veterans with health, well-being and employment.
Around 30 veterans met with Mercer to discuss their personal experiences at Ronald McDonald House on Thursday, January 18.
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Billy Kelly, Head of Armed Forces for Guy’s and St Thomas’, said the 30 veterans were “delighted” to welcome the Conservative MP.
Guy’s and St Thomas’ has a long history of supporting the Armed Forces and was one of the first trusts in London to sign the Armed Forces Covenant.
The covenant sees organisations promise to treat veterans, and their families, with fairness and respect so they don’t face disadvantages.
According to the Ministry of Defence statistics published in 2022, one in eight UK Armed Force personnel were seen for mental health-related reasons.
The Trust’s Armed Forces programme works with the Defence Medical Welfare Service on a range of programmes which provide specialist advice and support for Armed Forces patients.
It also works with the Forces Employment Charity and other organisations to support and advocate recruitment of the Armed Forces community.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Rt Hon. Johnny Mercer MP, said: “It was great to meet Guy’s and St Thomas’ Armed Forces team and hear about the linked up care they provide to veterans through Op COURAGE and Op RESTORE, our fantastic mental and physical health pathways specifically designed for veterans.”