Guidance

VAPC Yorkshire and Humber: Zoom meeting minutes 29 July 2020

Updated 6 November 2023

Attendees

• Alex Baxter (Chair)
• John Topping (Secretary)
• Maj (retired) Duncan Bell
• Rick Short
• Dr. Iain Burnside
• Capt Peter Mason
• Tim Cole
• Lt Col (retired) Terry Reilly RA
• Maj Adrian Hunt

Apologies

• Ms Helen Singleton
• Gary Collins
• Andrew Palmer
• Alex Bentley
• Lt Col (retired) Alan Skidmore
• Craig Gadd
• Sqn Ldr (retired) Mike Chambers MBE

Introduction, apologies, minutes of the last meeting/matters arising

The Chairman welcomed members to the meeting. The Secretary give apologies, and these are noted.

The Chairman reminded everyone that the meeting would last 40 minutes due to the free time allowed.

The minutes of the last meeting, which had been circulated beforehand, were confirmed, and agreed.

There were no matters arising not covered by today’s agenda.

Recruiting and membership

The following members are sub-group chairs:

• Governance – Helen Singleton.
• Welfare – Duncan Bell
• Health - Dr Iain Burnside
• Veterans Agency Engagement – to e confirmed (new position)
• Communications Engagement - Lt Col (retired) Alan Skidmore

Norcross released the timeline for the next recruitment drive, and this has been circulated to members. We are keen were possible, to encourage co-opted members to apply. Guidance on makeup of interview panel has been issued; independent panel member criterion is also advised in line with public service guidelines.

Reports

Members External Events; Quarterly Newsletter Items.

Defence Transition Service. As advised at last meeting it is requested that Kate McCullough be invited to our next meeting, which will be at Cleethorpes on Wednesday 14 October 2020. Members are keen to discuss current and future transition matter.

• action point: Secretary to contact DTS and invite Kate to our next meeting at Cleethorpes.

It is considered important this invitation is not ‘downgraded’ to regional representative level which should be ‘emphasised’ when invitation is extended to Kate.

A major concern was expressed that as Medical Boards were not currently sitting a backlog could build up. This could potentially lead to the credibility of the system being undermined. Duncan Bell Highlighted 3 veteran cases still waiting Medical Boards; these examples highlight the fact these individuals may be close to losing faith with the system due to ongoing delays in forming boards possibly due to extraneous factors which at ground level is causing some concern. In some cases, the delay is over 100 days. It is important this is highlighted to Veterans Agency directly to understand better the current situation.

• action point: Chairman will contact Norcross to clarify what action is being taken and bring to their attention what those individual veterans are feeling.

Chairs conference

The Chairman stated that this was a virtual event but nevertheless productive and important to ensure all 13 VAPC’s were maintaining direct communication and coordinated activity level. Alex has been tasked with maintaining links with LGA and MOD in respect of 2 current and related workstreams on behalf of VAPC’s

Armed forces covenant

We believe from early 2021 a new statutory duty will require the public sector to have due regard to removing disadvantages for service personnel, members and former member of the armed forces community. The key areas are Health, Education and Housing. The LGA are intending to hold a consultation exercise with their members and coordinate responses. 4 Brigade MCI will also provide feedback when available. The consultation is primarily to assess impact and we are hopefully this document will be available by end Autumn.

Defence analysis

Chair is working with MOD Bristol to assist with draft survey of health needs which will be rolled out across Humber area as pilot when available.

• action point: Chairman will keep members updated with any new of significant development.

NHS medical support

GP Services and Data recording – update.

Dr Iain Burnside was going to provide some background, but virtual communications were unfortunately lost. This will therefore be retained on our Agenda for the next meeting with Email update through Secretary as soon as is practicable.

• action point: Secretary to bring forward to the next agenda and all members to continue to monitor the situation.

Mental health services: update

Dr Iain Burnside provided a comprehensive update of the current COVID-19 impact and operational situation through the Secretary.

The TILS service appears to still be function well with majority of services continuing to be provided on-line which appears to have reduced waiting times. Clients are triaged within 3 days and can be allocated an appointment within 1 week.

A new highly intensive service fir Mental Health will be delivered by Leeds NHS and aims to go live in November this year. They will provide specialist services and treatment for those mental health conditions which are attributable to service in the armed forces.

The Chairman will liaise with Leeds initiative to see if an input from Yorkshire and Humberside VAPC will assist their objectives. Comment: Duncan Bell welcomed this initiative but emphasised the need for the continuation of normal treatment programmes.

Update from Duncan Bell with regards Medical Board assessments and effects on veterans.

Duncan had already reported that a drop in confidence from some veterans which is being magnified/exacerbated by current COVID-19 situation.

COVID-19 Test and Trace.

This National campaign has been supported by Veterans and is described as having been hugely successful. Veterans personnel have already assisted at test centres and mobile units across the North East and Midlands; this includes some work within call centres. Some positions for veterans are still available in Doncaster and is paid employment. If further information is required, Chairman will engage with Yorkshire Regiment Association who are coordinating this recruitment programme.

Developing Collaboration in our Region

Local Authority:

No change from last meeting. Now it appears that all meetings are virtual but as the situation improves it is hoped that more face to face meeting can take place.

DWP progression:

Update still awaited.

Support to Veterans and Early service Leavers

The Defence Transition Service (DTS) had been discussed earlier and would be invited to the next real meeting of the VAPC.

The Army Families Federation (AFF). Will be providing free wrap around childcare for the Armed Forces and a series of pilot schemes are scheduled to run from early 2021. Duncan Bell was asked to contact Emma Perrin AFF at Catterick to obtain further details.

The 2021 census will contain a question relating to service in the Armed Forces. This should eventually assist to determine the numbers (veterans) in each region.

It was agreed to contact the people at the early transition team for an update on the numbers they are dealing with.

Various

Management Plan: Develop strategy 2018 to 2022

It was agreed that at the next meeting in Cleethorpes to incorporate a visit to the veterans’ facilities there and the meeting to concentrate on the further development of Y&H strategy for the next 3 years.

Veterans Gateway: Update and awareness.

Obviously due to the COVID-19 situation activity had been drastically reduced. We are informed that this is now being improved as technological awareness by service information providers gains momentum.

Veterans Strategy update.

A paper would be circulated by the Chairman as soon as practicable.

• action point: once the Chairman had produced the brief it would be circulated amongst members as an internal document bundle.

VWS Monitoring & Welfare Items

Chairman would contact Andy Down for an update.

Chief of Staff at Norcross has asked regional VAPC’s to review email contact details and has encouraged use of ‘VAPC’ email addresses where possible.

Any Other Business.

Liaison and Diversion Service. This is a new initiative funded by NHS England over 6 years to be run by Community Links Leeds and provides support to those who finds themselves in police custody (different from Project Nova and not specifically veterans). The project is intended to reduce re-offending.

Duncan Bell highlighted the significant delays now being seen with the NHS due current emergency situation.

Tim Cole highlighted the fact that any early warnings about ‘what we think’ are becoming critical situations should be immediately forwarded to the responsible departments at the earliest possible juncture.

Next meetings

Next full scheduled meeting is planned for Wednesday 14th October 2020 at Cleethorpes. This will be a face to face meeting observing COVID-19 regulation on safe distancing etc.