Guidance

VAPC Yorkshire and Humber: meeting minutes 9 December 2021 - Imphal Barracks

Updated 6 November 2023

Attendees

• Alex Baxter (Chair)
• Lt Col (Rtd) Alan Skidmore (Vice Chair)
• John Topping (Secretary)
• Maj (Rtd) Duncan Bell
• Tim Cole
• Maj Adrian Hunt
• Stephen Norton
• Chris Nolan
• Dr. Iain Burnside
• Lt Col (Rtd) Terry Reilly RA
• Ms Helen Singleton
• Alex Bentley
• Rick Short
• Elspeth Wigley
• Major Peter Mason R. Signals

Apologies

• Gary Collins
• Yvonne MacDonald
• Huw Bell
• Flt Lt Steve Griffiths
• Andrew Palmer (Co-opted)
• Nick Mitchell (Co-opted)
• Christine Landess (Co-opted)

Absent

Nil

1. General items

1a - Introduction, apologies, minutes of last meeting/matters arising

Due to later meetings Professor Colin Gilligan introduced himself to the committee and explained that he had no knowledge of the role of the VPAC’s. Having been co-opted on to the committee he did a search of the internet for information which produced very little. He was keen to develop with the Secretary exactly what his role and objective would be.

The Chairman on behalf the members welcomed Colin as a co-opted member. He felt sure that he would be of great benefit in ensuring that the Y & H VAPC met their statutory purposes.

The Chairman welcomed members to the meeting explaining that this was our second physical meeting. He briefly described the last meeting that had been held in the Veterans HIVE at Cleethorpes. All members then introduced themselves with a brief synopsis The Secretary tendered apologies, and these are noted.

The minutes of the last meeting had been circulated and were approved.

There we no matter arising that were not covered on today’s Agenda.

1b - Recruitment and membership

The Chairman reported that although we were fully recruited other VAPC’s are not as successful. The 2 Scottish VAPC’s had been merged into one to simplify engagement with Devolved administration.

1c - Statutory Terms of Reference (ToI).

Chairman highlighted that the supplementary TOR’s were the main challenge for the members to address over the next few months. He asked members to see if they would have a good in depth look at them and make any suggestions they felt appropriate.

The chairman asked for a volunteer sub-group to take on this challenge and the following volunteered: Chris Nolan, Elspeth Wrigley, Alex Bentley, Rick Short, Tim Cole and John Topping. John is going to book the St Wilfrid’s Centre, Ripon for the meeting. Coordination with Chairman for development of committee reporting mechanism once agreed.

Action: Secretary.

1d - Succession Planning

The Chairman reported that his term of office had been extended from January 2022 to January 2023. A new chairman would be recruited prior to his period of office finishing.

The Secretary said that he would be prepared to continue as Secretary for one full year with the new Chairman and then hand over responsibilities.

2. NHS medical support

2a - GP services and data recording

Dr Iain Burnside took item 2a, 2b and 2d together. He provided an in-depth background brief of all matters.

A number of hospitals have already achieved Veteran Ware status but more are needed. It is a set of standards which supports the Armed Forces Covenant and it requires the hospital to sign up to the Covenant, provide positive discrimination for employment of veterans and additional support of Reservists, registration of veterans on the hospital systems, training of staff in the Covenant and positive discrimination for the treatment of service-related injuries or illness.

He pointed out that there is currently very little integration between GP Practices. The GP practices are going to be key to this integration but with the Clinical Commissioning Groups being re-organised this could have a major effect on this issue. He is working locally on encouraging GP practices to become Veteran Friendly. Wakefield has only 14% of practices accredited, which is also the national average. This is essential as they are the first step for veterans’ medical care.

He attends the meetings of the VAPC’s National Committee on Health and Wellbeing as the Yorkshire & Humberside rep. (NC). He found it difficult at times to put his points across as it is very academically focussed. They tend to recommend research projects rather than practical solutions for local veterans. He mentioned the Castleford Veterans Breakfast Club with over 300 members who were a vital point of contacts for any research that would be undertaken. They have very good links with the DWP, TRBL etc and are developing a hub on the lines of the successful North East Lincolnshire example.

He also highlighted to the NC problems with veterans who had hearing problems. GPs were no longer funded for wax removal which was critical before a hearing test was performed leading to substantial financial charges for the veterans requiring this test. He said that TRBL had identified over 30k veterans with hearing problems. Duncan Bell pointed out that there were issues with age related hearing loss with veterans who could be disadvantaged in claiming pensions.

He reported that Op Courage now allowed self-referral to their services but that health records would still be required.

2b - Mental and welfare health

Taken under item 2a

2c - Chris Nolan - Mesothelioma/Asbestosis update

Chris highlighted that there were major anomalies in identifying who could be exposed to this risk. He had engaged/discussed with the Unite Trade Union who had very good representation to high level government committees. Further points are contained in his briefing paper which was circulated to members beforehand.

He pointed that getting this vital information to veterans was well below expected standards. It was mentioned that the quarterly pensions newsletter would be an ideal platform to disseminate this information to veterans. It was agreed that the Chairman would bring this up at the Chair of Chairs meeting along with the ear wax issue.

2d - GP Practices and Hospital Trusts – Veterans Aware

Taken under item 2a.

3. Developing collaboration in our region

3a - Local authority (LA)

Members were asked to identify the LA covenant groups that they would be able to represent the Y & H VAPC. Postcode allocation is suggested as sub-regional point of reference.

3b - Reports from members

It was reported that some LA covenant groups were more proactive than others. Now that we had the database of al Local Authority Veterans Champions (LAVC) and Officer Point of Contact (OPoC) engagement/encouragement to the less proactive members could potentially come from this within this group.

Tim Cole would try and establish contact with Calderdale Council which was the only authority not to have responded to the LAVC and OPOC initiative.

3c - Support to veterans and early service leavers

This situation is being monitored but Covid-19 limitations restricted what action could take place and further invitation will be extended to MOD Transition service to provide updates by date of next meeting.

4. Various

4a - Management plan (develop strategy)

As stated previously a sub-group had been set up to respond to the office of the OVA.

4b - Veterans welfare service (VWS) - (update)

The report from VWS had been circulated beforehand.

Members were still worried about the situation at the various medical boards that veterans had to attend when appealing against pension awards.

Duncan Bell briefed members on the situation with David Hayden MC which he had been intricately involved with.

4c - Veterans strategy

Again, as previously highlighted a sub-group had been formed

5. Any other business

Non declared.

6. Next meetings

23 March 2022.