With almost 200 Members scattered across 8,000 square miles, it is little wonder that Blesma Support Officer Tom Hall and Outreach Officer Jason Suller are getting to know the delights and frustrations of the Welsh road networks.

Tom has clocked up more than 43,000 miles in just two years looking after the vast Wales and West of England patch, with five-hour car journeys a regular feature of his role supporting Members and advocating for improved services. Tom, who served a 29-year military career before he took up the role of a BSO, is also on a mission to explain Blesma’s purpose to as wide an audience as possible and to petition for greater support across a complex sweep of local authorities, NHS departments, welfare organisations, and the Welsh Government.

“The Government works differently from the set-up in England, so we have to navigate a separate set of regulations and processes,” Tom explains.

“But Blesma’s aim here is the same as everywhere; to get the best for its Members and to help them get the best from life. I support veterans, Widows, widowers and family members. Their ages span from 23 to 98 years old so, just like all BSOs, I have a range of issues to deal with. Blesma wanted to focus more on the regions, which was a good call, but when I arrived Blesma wasn’t that well-known in Wales. I’ve worked hard with Jason, my Outreach Officer, to spread the Blesma message to the Welsh Government and the Armed Forces networks, and explain the great work we do for Members.”

Making themselves heard

This approach is starting to pay huge dividends, with Blesma’s voice now being heard increasingly through the corridors of power and the committee rooms where key decisions are made. Tom served across the world as an officer in the Coldstream Guards and the REME, including a tour of Afghanistan as the Bastion Joint Operating Base Garrison Sergeant Major in 2009.

Working closely with Jason and BSO (Prosthetics) Brian Chenier, he has been wearing out his shoe leather and his voice attending meetings across the country to ensure limbless veterans are heard.

The healthcare system in Wales has its challenges. The Welsh Health Specialist Services Committee (WHSSC) allocates the funding for prosthetic provision and additional monies for those veterans with Service attributable amputations. Extra funding requests can take time but the provision process is smoother for established war pensioners and veteran patients. Members living with limb loss that is not Service attributable have the same access to prosthetic support and quality of care as any other citizen. An advantage of living in Wales, though, is that the possibility of an enhanced prosthesis is still possible through the Individual Patient Funding Request (IPFR) process, although this must be justified on clinical grounds and the needs of the individual. In most cases, the standard provision is suitable.

“It can be a tricky process in Wales if you have, for example, a non-attributable injury from a road traffic accident or industrial injury after leaving the Services,” says Tom.

“We’re working hard to establish consistency in provision for items such as waterproof limbs for showering, for example, or recreation limbs that can be used for fitness and which can enhance independence and wellbeing. We are also working with WHSSC to develop a funding policy for prescribing microprocessor controlled knees to non-Service attributable amputees, which are currently funded in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, but not in Wales.”

Collaborating with the Welsh Government Armed Forces Team, Tom has secured quarterly meetings with WHSSC, Cardiff Artificial Limb and Appliance Centres (ALAC), Blesma and the Welsh Government to discuss issues affecting amputees as well as improvements in policy and funding. Brian Chenier also attends these to add his wealth of experience. 

Tom has developed excellent working relationships with the three NHS Limb Centres in Wales and can help Members get what they need. Where necessary, he will involve BSO (Prosthetics), particularly where there is an opportunity to influence policy changes. The call for enhanced services as well as access to improved support is being echoed across the Welsh healthcare spectrum and Hannah Blythyn, Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister, recently attended an event at the Wrexham Artificial Limb and Appliance Centre organised by Blesma, where she met Tom and Jason as well as a number of Blesma Members, carers and ALAC staff.

“It gave us a chance to brief Hannah about the specific issues in Wales and she was very responsive, picking up on the issue of microprocessor knees and the reductions in ALAC staff as well as a number of other issues,” says Tom. “She has been in touch since and wants to attend one of our popular Blesma social lunches to follow up on the discussions.”

Tom has made sure that Blesma is involved in, or is represented on, various committees and boards; from the Armed Forces Expert Group of the Welsh Government, which feeds policy back to the UK Government, to cross party groups, local authorities, Armed Forces forums, and the All-Wales Service Charity Group.

Getting Groups Together

A crucial part of the mission is the work being done by Outreach Officer Jason who was in the Royal Welsh Regiment for 27 years before working as a Regimental Welfare Officer for a Reserve Unit. The Welsh Government’s Armed Forces Team has awarded Blesma a grant of £3,000 to deliver social groups throughout the region which help to tackle loneliness and isolation among Members. Jason has developed the growing network of Blesma Social Groups, forming nine which meet regularly. “My main task is to set up events and activities that bring Members together in a social environment.” says Jason, who lives in Newport with his wife Debbie.

“We’ve organised all sorts of events, from pottery and zoo visits to sailing and cycling days, and the feedback has been very positive. Wales is a vast area and Members have a range of ages and interests. A lot of the younger ones are cracking on with life, but know we are here if they need us. The best part of the job is bringing people together; particularly those who feel isolated or struggle to get out.”

Tom, who lives near Swansea with his wife Lisa, agrees: “The Blesma Social Groups have allowed many isolated Members to reconnect with each other and with the Association. It’s important to spread the word so we can grow groups and networks. Sometimes, just meeting up for a cup of tea and a chat can give someone a sense of purpose. The social aspect of Blesma’s help and support is important because spending days or weeks at home alone can have an extremely negative impact on someone’s mental and physical health, and that’s when people can start to go downhill."

“We have a number of volunteers in the area who do great work for the Association. We wouldn’t be able to do our jobs effectively without our Welfare Volunteers who touch base with Members and feed back issues. The same goes for the growing number of Digital Volunteers (an initiative started in Wales) who show Members and Widows how to get online, use email, and engage with the Blesma Connects app.

“It’s great to know that we are making progress in Wales when it comes to bringing people together in fellowship as well as fighting for their rights and provisions. These things form the basis of what Blesma is all about, no matter where you happen to live.”