Blesma campaign secures Headley Court clinic for veterans and serving personnel

Headley Court will now treat veterans who suffer from amputation-related medical issues as a result of recent operations.

Eligible injured veterans will be able to receive the supply, maintenance and repair of prosthetics, and will be able to benefit from assessments, physiotherapy, counselling and mental health support

The announcement, which comes as hundreds of injured veterans are competing at the Invictus Games in Orlando, Florida, also means they have access to help from staff who have more than a decade of experience in managing the rehabilitation of complex trauma injuries.

Blesma has championed the continued use of Headley Court as services are transferred to the new purpose-built Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre at Stanford Hall, in Leicestershire, which is due to open in 2018 and aspires to service veterans and the public.

Eligibility is based on being in receipt of either a War Pension or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme award for an amputation attributable to military service. Veterans must also have been a prosthetics patient at Headley Court since 2006, when the facility started its in-house prosthetics service. Referral to the service must be made by your NHS Limb Centre and will be based on the complexity of your prosthetic care needs and if your current situation
is proving problematic.

A report by triple amputee former Royal Marine Jon White highlighted that NHS support was subject to sub-standard performance for wounded veterans. His research - The White Report - which was commissioned by Blesma and supported by the Royal Marines Charitable Trust discovered that some frustrated veterans had to seek private treatment in America and Australia because of delays and funding issues with the UK health system.

The White Report also found that amputees relied on charities to raise money for treatment and trips abroad and it called for the Ministry of Defence to allow former servicemen and women continue receiving treatment at Headley Court.

Six amputee veterans have already received care under the new scheme, announced by Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, after being referred by their local NHS.

A veteran’s healthcare will still be run by the NHS, but veterans will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and referred if NHS staff believe they will benefit from Headley Court.

“These men and women have made enormous sacrifices to keep Britain safe. This is about making sure they get the best possible treatment,” said Mr Fallon.

If you have any questions, you can contact our Blesma Prosthetics support officer on bsoprosthetics@blesma.org or 020 8548 7080.