Written question asked by Jim Cunningham (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 December 2015, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 December 2015 (named day). It was answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton (Conservative) on Monday, 14 December 2015 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Armed Forces: Mental Health Services

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what support his Department is providing to fund mental health services for military personnel on active military duty; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The Ministry of Defence is absolutely committed to looking after the mental health of our Armed Forces personnel, and through the Defence budget we fund a range of military medical staff and facilities to provide community-based healthcare in line with national best practice. This includes the ability to deploy medical staff on major operations such as those in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the UK, we have 16 permanent military Departments of Community Mental Health, which are located to be convenient for major centres of military population, and which support the provision of healthcare that is available through GPs in Service primary care facilities. In-patient care, when necessary, is provided in dedicated psychiatric units through a central contract with an external provider.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 19454
Session: 2015-16
Related items: Armed Forces: Mental Health Services
Tuesday, 5 January 2016
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Armed forces Finance Mental health services
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk