Updated on
Whilst many of us look forward to a summer with fewer lockdown restrictions, anxiety about coronavirus still impacts the lives of veterans and their families. One in five veterans and serving personnel have avoided seeking medical help because of anxiety about the disease.
So, now, more than ever, it is crucial we are here for them.
Since our recovery centres closed, Phil Hall and his team have worked tirelessly to ensure our very seriously injured (VSI) veterans continue to receive vital support.
The complex clinical case manager helps veterans manage their conditions and supports access to both NHS and local services. As a result, Phil was often on home visits or meeting veterans at recovery centres.
But lockdown forced this to stop. Transforming his shed into a home office, he now works in isolation. Relying on virtual platforms to communicate with colleagues, and veterans.
Between March and June 2020, Phil and his team worked 3840 hours, supporting 785 veterans via phone or online. And despite lockdown measures easing, the team must continue to work with restrictions in mind, to keep these veterans supported and safe.
“The group I work with will be shielding much further into the future. We’re looking at how we can ensure their quality of life is maintained, and, where possible, improved.” Explains Phil.
Working through an average caseload of 99 veterans per month, Phil has found many remain anxious about continuing to access healthcare.
“Veterans and their families have massive concerns around infection whilst in hospital. What I would say is hospitals are absolutely in control of the situation.”
Lockdown has also restricted community therapy services, leaving many VSI veterans unable to access vital support. Undeterred, Phil and his team made changes…
“We’ve funded speech and language therapy over conference calls - that’s been very successful. But other services, such as physiotherapy, have had to stop. This is going to have an effect both now and in the future.” Says Phil.
Alongside this, the lack of human contact has proved challenging, for both Phil and those he supports.
“Having difficult conversations with my veterans has been tough. Many have severe brain injuries and struggle to understand lockdown. This has had a dramatic impact on their health and wellbeing.” Explains Phil.
“Covid-19 has deeply affected our veterans. Some effects have been positive – with veterans helping the local community. But some have been negative. The need for support hasn’t gone away. That will continue, now and into the future.”
