Jonathan Cole

“I have a concern as to the number and availability of psychiatrists and psychologists within the Ministry of Defence and accessible to serving personnel. This concern extends to ensuring a soldier receives access to appropriate treatment including diagnosis. Diagnosis is also important as under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, mental disorders must be diagnosed by a relevant accredited medical specialist, namely, a medical practitioner whose name is included in the specialist register kept”

“I have a concern that the Vulnerability Risk Management Process [Suicide Vulnerability Risk Management as was] is Unit led and that DCMH clinicians do not have a greater role in influencing the Army's vulnerability risk management (VRM) process for suicidal soldiers”

“the training and experience of the Medical Advisors at Veterans UK providing advice under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. b. rejection of claims for PTSD under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme if there is not a formal diagnosis by a consultant psychiatrist or psychologist but evidence of PTSD within medical records from other medical professionals”

“[REDACTED] was a retired GP who went on to work as a part-time medical advisor at Veterans UK in October 2013 and rejected Jonny's claim for compensation for PTSD and psychological injury under the armed forces compensation scheme. [REDACTED] had no specialist knowledge of psychiatric or mental health issues and had had no specialist training in that area”