Mental Health Needs Of Veterans Are Not Being Addressed - UUP

Ulster Unionist MP Danny Kinahan has said the mental health needs of veterans and Service personnel in Northern Ireland are not being addressed.

Mr Kinahan was commenting after NHS England announced a new £9 million mental health initiative to support veterans and Service personnel, known officially as the Transition, Intervention and Liaison (TIL) veterans’ mental health service.

He said: "I very much commend the steps taken by NHS England to invest in mental health services for current Service personnel and veterans, recognising the unique needs of our Armed Forces.

"However, unfortunately this service will only be available to those resident in England. The services available to veterans and Service personnel should not be a lottery based on where you live in the United Kingdom, but unfortunately this is the situation we face.

"My Party colleagues have consistently raised the issue of the need for a bespoke mental health facility for the Armed Forces community in Northern Ireland, but sadly no progress has been made.

"Consistent Armed Forces Covenant reports have identified Northern Ireland as lagging behind in terms of implementation. In comparison with other devolved administrations Northern Ireland is not up to scratch regarding access to healthcare, education or advocacy for veterans and Service personnel.

"The appointment of a Northern Ireland Executive representative to the Covenant Reference Group was long overdue, but was a step in the right direction, however with no Executive in place we have gone backwards.

"If an Executive does get up and running it must be a priority to establish a mental health facility here to cater for veterans and Service personnel."

Free Weed Piping Scheme Launches In Armagh

A free weed piping scheme has launched in Armagh.

NI Water, in conjunction with the Water Catchment Partnership, said the scheme is aimed at land managers tackling rush weeds in the catchment area of Seagahan Reservoir near Markethill.

The initiative will take place between May and September 2017 and 2018.

Roy Taylor, Catchment Manager at NI Water, said: "At present, extra treatment is required at Seagahan Water Treatment Works as a result of the water quality in the Seagahan Dam. Monitoring of water in the dam has shown high levels of grassland pesticides such as MCPA, which could be from agricultural activity.

"Final drinking water is always at a high standard and meets all the required water quality standards, but there is a major increase in cost for the extra treatment required to deal with these chemicals.

"This innovative pilot scheme, the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, will provide an alternative way of tackling rush weeds without using harmful pesticides. The method we will use is 'weed-wiping' to kill the rushes. The project, which is completely free of charge, will have a Farm Liaison Officer working with farmers and land managers to manage the weed wiping and promote better advice on handling, applying and disposing of grassland sprays, guidance on mechanical control of rushes and improving land condition to addressing the underlying causes of infestations."

The scheme will operate in the Seagahan catchment area in County Armagh.

The closing date for applications is 30 April 2017.

Call For Urgent Action On Health Reform

Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has warned that urgent action on Health Reform must be a top priority for the new talks process.

Speaking after a public warning from John Compton on the Health Service Budget, the South Belfast MLA cautioned: "It is concerning that in all the statements from the two largest parties, there is scarcely a mention of the urgent need for action on Health Reform.

"The Budget is a concern, as particularly is the failure to provide the necessary extra allocation to actual reforms such as the waiting lists strategy.

"Budget is not the only issue, however. There is a serious issue that we are already heading rapidly towards a two-tier system, where people with means are simply paying for quicker diagnosis and treatment.

"We also have to consider morale across the Health Sector. Lack of direction in terms of reform leads to dedicated workers having to carry out their jobs amid great uncertainty."

(CD/MH)