The Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA) delivered the keynote presentation to the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association (BNTVA) at its Annual Conference at Telford on 11 August 2021.
East of England Regional Lead, Ian Razzell, received a warm response following his presentation to significant numbers of the charity for atomic veterans. Ian shared the principles of the work of the VCHA with those he describes as “an extraordinary community that spans those physically involved with the tests, right through to the children of those who served, many of whom were born years after family members had returned home.”
Ian, a former Army Officer and veteran himself, described the successes of the VCHA in already accrediting over 80 NHS Trusts in England, and was able to describe the services that already exist and the mechanisms for referral and review by NHS colleagues. Furthermore, he shared Rehabilitation work that is progressing well as part of the VCHA project. Ian said: “Many people were concerned about accessing care, and particularly illness and injury that has developed since the tests took place, both with the veterans themselves and their children.”
He continued: “There were searching questions around Moral Injury for those who served and illness in children of veterans who took part in the tests. The VCHA has agreed to engage further in these two areas and to report back to the BNTVA. The Rehabilitation team has also been put in touch with the charity.”
The value of attending this Conference was significant, both for the veterans and for the VCHA. We look forward to further talks with the BNTVA.
Ceri McDade, Chair of the BNTVA, added: “The feedback we have received is all positive, and I know that you have encouraged our veterans and families of the importance of Veterans’ Aware accreditation and services”.
More details on the work of the BNTVA can be found here.
ENDS
