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For use on Foundation, Development & Transition Courses

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Compendium of useful FMB info

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Priority treatment for veterans

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Healthcare for the armed forces community

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How the NHS can help if you're in the British armed forces, a veteran, a reservist or a family member of someone who is serving or who has served.

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Save money on your NHS prescriptions

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Save money with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC)

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Find out how to save money on NHS prescriptions with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC).

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Sleep

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Pay attention to your body's master clock  | Emily Manoogian | TEDxSanDiegoSalon

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Sleep and Meditation

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Meditation for sleep should be approached the same way we approach meditation in the daytime: gently, with a relaxed focus. When we allow the body to relax, and allow the mind to drift off, we do so in a soft, gentle way, not trying to force sleep, otherwise we encourage more thoughts and, possibly, some tension. As much as possible, allow yourself to be led by the guidance, not thinking too much about the technique or instructions.

Before you begin your sleep meditation: lie flat on your back on the bed, take a few deep breaths, and close your eyes, allowing the body to begin powering down. If you're using a guided meditation, follow the instructions. If practicing unguided meditation, progress at your own pace. The more you practice this type of meditation, the more likely you are to build a quiet and restful mind that can sleep at ease.

Guided sleep meditations generally employ a number of different techniques:

This involves regulating your breath - counting breaths, for example - and eventually slowing your breathing down a bit, which signals to the body that it's time for sleep.

As you lie on your bed, you may be asked to notice the breath and the places where your body is touching your bed. Then, starting at the toes, you can think of "switching off" any effort in each part of your body, part by part.

A visualization asks you to imagine an image or scene, then it takes you into a mental state that is similar to hypnosis. Gratitude: Some sleep-focused meditation programs focus on appreciation meditation and loving kindness meditation, which ask you to focus on gratitude.

To slow the mind down and release you from cyclical patterns of thought, you may be invited to count slowly: starting at 10 (or even 1,000) counting backwards to one, then starting at 10 again.

A narrator or guide may ask you to lie calmly in silence for up to a few minutes, providing very little guidance, as a way to focus after a long and busy day.

If you're being guided through a sleep-based meditation in person, you may be invited to participate in mindful movement practices like tai chi, low-impact postures or light stretching.

Reviewing your day, in detail, action-by-action, can be a great way to distract your mind just enough to drift off. Starting from getting up in the morning, through showering and having breakfast, spend 20-25 seconds on each of the day's events, however small. This is great way to begin powering down, before a breathing or visualization meditation.

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You deserve to have a truly restful night - and sleep meditation can help. Learn how to put your mind to bed and sleep better with Headspace.

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FREE online fitness videos

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NHS Fitness Studio: free online fitness videos, aerobics videos, strength and resistance videos, pilates and yoga videos and more.

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MOD 5 min helpful Video (on Defence Gateway)

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Welcome to Defence Connect

Defence Connect is the MOD's private social network. The goal of this network is to provide a collaborative environment for you to connect with people across the whole organisation, share meaningful information which in turn improves internal communication.

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Defence Connect is the MOD's private social network. The goal of this network is to provide a collaborative environment for you to connect with people across the whole organisation, share meaningful information which in turn improves internal communication.

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Shrewton, Salisbury. Working with horses, gardening, outdoor activities - GET IN TOUCH

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God Unlimited Outdoor Therapy | Equine Assisted Therapy

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God Unlimited Outdoor Therapy is a growing family of centres in England with the aim of providing outdoor activity and therapy opportunities. Book online!

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FREE 24/7 safe support for people living with anxiety and depression

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Whatever's on your mind, we're here - Togetherall

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Need urgent help? Contact one of these crisis support services

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FREE subscription via the RAF link below

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The Veterans' Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison (TIL) Service 

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The Veterans' Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison (TIL) Service 

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FREE NHS mental health service for all ex-serving members of the UK Armed Forces and service personnel who are making the transition to civilian life including reservists.

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The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service - London and the South East

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The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service combines the existing Transition, Intervention and Liaison (TIL) Service, Complex Treatment Service and the London High Intensity Service.

These are free NHS mental health services for all ex-serving members of the UK Armed Forces and service personnel, including those who are making the transition to civilian life and reservists. We work with any veterans and service leavers who live in London, Greater London, East / West Sussex, Surrey, Kent and Medway or are registered with a GP in these areas. Our core opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm. See Referrals tab to download referral form for London, Surrey, Sussex and Kent. The contact number for the London Team is 020 3317 6818 and 0300 3040657 for Surrey, Sussex and Kent Team.

We work with veterans with any mental health difficulties, in a range of situations. We offer a London region High Intensity Service (HIS), offering rapid intervention for those who are in need of urgent care.

If you are a veteran living in the above areas, you can refer yourself to our service: please either complete the referral form or contact us to discuss your referral. We also accept referrals from any professional or agency working with a veteran.

If you are thinking about coming to speak to us, but would like an informal chat about what this would involve, you can call our mainline number and speak to any of our staff about this. If you prefer to talk first with someone who's served, you can ask for our veteran peer worker, Rich Chalmers.

Our London region Veterans Drop-in at St Pancras Hospital is now up and running again and it would be great to see you. See here for more details: https://www.asdic.org.uk/member-directory/#member-44

You can also download a copy of our information leaflet here.
If you do not live in the London and South East area you can contact the Veterans Health and Wellbeing Service in your area:
North of England Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing service: call 0800 652 2867 or email VTILS@cntw.nhs.net

Midlands and East of England Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing service: call 0300 323 0137 or email mevs.mhm@nhs.net

South Central and South West of England Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing service: call 0300 365 2000 (Option 4) or email sc.veterans@nhs.net or awp.swveterans@nhs.net

The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Services for the different areas of England can assist you in accessing the right level of support for you, including more intensive support if needed.

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The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service - London and the South East

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The Veterans Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison (TIL) Service (formally known as the London Veterans Service) is a free NHS mental health service for all ex-serving members of the British Armed Forces living in or registered with a GP in London, Greater London, East and West Sussex,

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FREE Avon & Wiltshire NHS Mental Wellbeing courses & workshops for serving & veterans.

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FREE Avon & Wiltshire NHS Mental Wellbeing courses & workshops for serving & veterans.

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Our purpose is to provide the highest quality mental healthcare that promotes recovery and hope. Call 01380 731335 to reserve your place.

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Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

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Talking therapies services do not provide urgent care. If you need help right now speak to your GP or surgery mental health nurse if you feel able to. You can also call AWP's 24-hour urgent response line free on 0800 953 1919. For someone to talk to, you can also contact The Samaritans for free on 116 123. The Samaritans offers 24-hour telephone emotional support and befriending in complete confidence.
Where else can I go?
If during assessment we identify that our service is not suitable for you, we may signpost you to other specialist services which may better meet your needs. AWP have put together a list of useful links and resources here.

After you have received support from other specialist services, there is potential to return to Talking Therapies for a review for your needs. At this time you could discuss if now is the right time for support with Talking Therapies, if your goals are in line with what the service offers, or if now is the right time in your journey.
How long will the whole process take? (i.e. assessment, waiting list, treatment)
Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer to this question. The length of the whole process will vary according to your treatment plan and your availability. The length of treatment, itself, also varies according to the type of therapy and the problem being treated. We do aim to provide an assessment where indicated within 6 weeks of contact with our service and if you have any questions about your access to the service, please do contact us.
What if I need further support after completing my course of treatment?
At the end of treatment, we would always advise a period of time in which to practice the techniques you have learnt with us. We will also discuss next steps with you to create a plan for how you can maintain and build on your recovery. This could include how to recognise your own signs and symptoms, and when things are changing, where to go for further support, or what techniques have helped you to build your recovery.
Will I be charged any money for accessing the service?
No, it is a free NHS funded service.
What's the difference between counselling and CBT?
The majority of the work we do uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT looks at how thoughts, feelings and behaviours interact and how they can affect our mood. The sessions will focus on an evidence-based key intervention to enable you to work towards your goals which you identified during the assessment.

Counselling is a talking therapy that involves a trained therapist listening to you and helping you find ways to deal with emotional issues. You'll be encouraged to talk about your feelings and emotions with a trained therapist, who'll listen and support you without judging or criticising.

The therapist can help you gain a better understanding of your feelings and thought processes, and find your own solutions to problems. But they will not usually give advice or tell you what to do.
Do you offer counselling?
We do not offer 'general counselling' within our service, which might typically help people with a whole range of difficulties and utilise a broad range of therapeutic techniques. We do, however, offer a specific form of time-limited counselling called Counselling for Depression (CfD).

CfD aims to help people to come to a greater understanding of themselves and their feelings. In time, people can find that their depression changes or improves when they are more able to recognise and experience their true feelings. CfD can be particularly helpful for people struggling to process emotions in relation to difficult life events. Your CfD therapist will work alongside you to explore, and make sense of, the feelings underlying your depression, so there will be a particular focus on emotions during the sessions. You will be encouraged to really experience these emotions, in order to understand and digest your responses. Due to the specific nature of this type of counselling, it is important that your expectations for therapy do align with a therapeutic approach that focuses on building a therapeutic relationship along with holding an emotional focus. During the first session, your counsellor will ask about your hopes for counselling and allow you the space to start to talk at your own pace.
Do you offer Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)?
Not currently, no.
Do you offer anger management?
If anger management was the main problem, we would not offer treatment for that within our service, currently. However, if anger was a symptom of your anxiety or depression, we will discuss with you how we could work with the anxiety and depression to reduce your symptoms.
What information will be shared with my GP?
To support the wellbeing of people who access talking therapies, it is important that we share some information with others who may be involved in your care and wellbeing. We update your GP with your attendance and a brief summary of the outcome of your assessment or therapies with us. Occasionally, we may also liaise with other mental health services or agencies such as our safeguarding team to ensure you and others around you are safe and supported. At the start of your assessment, the practitioner will advise you of our confidentiality statement and you are welcome to ask any questions about this.

Talking therapies does not routinely share information with third parties such as family members, workplaces or other agencies unless we have your consent to do so. An exemption to this is young people under the age of 18, where we may need to share some information with a parent or guardian should we feel additional support around your safety and wellbeing is necessary.

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Talking Therapies (previously known as Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) :: Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

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Talking therapies services do not provide urgent care. If you need help right now speak to your GP or surgery mental health nurse if you feel able to. You can also call AWP's 24-hour urgent response line free on 0800 953 1919. For someone to talk to, you can also contact The Samaritans for free on 116 123.

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Sleep Hygiene - More Tips

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Sleep Hygiene - Why its Essential to get a Good Kip

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The HG approach helps with PTSD, Sleep issues, Depression, Anger & Anxiety. Claim your FREE ebook. Find a Therapist near you

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The Human Givens Institute: Using combined holistic & scientific treatment for all of your psychotherapy, social work, primary care & education needs

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Mind.org.uk

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Tell us more

What do you want to tell us about?

Note:

Please don't include personal details like your name or email address. If you do, data protection law means we'll have to delete your comments.

Unfortunately we can't reply to this. If you want a response from us, see our Contact us page.

If you are in crisis right now and want to talk to someone urgently then you could call Samaritans on 116 123 (freephone). Our pages on crisis services have more options.

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Tell us more What do you want to tell us about? Note: Please don't include personal details like your name or email address. If you do, data protection law means we'll have to delete your comments. Unfortunately we can't reply to this. If you want a response from us, see our Contact us page.

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Mind.org.uk

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Offers FAST, FREE counselling to UK armed forces' Veterans, Reservists and families to relieve mental health problems resulting from military service, to ease reintegration into a normal work & family life.

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Read More...

Mental Health Initiative launched by Institute of Directors
The Institute of Directors Sussex is organising an online webinar 'Mental Health, Emotional Resilience and dealing with uncertainty and adversity' on 12 Mar 2021 from 12:15 to 13:30. It is free to join online. It includes a presentation by Ros Townsend, author of "PTSD Understanding and Recovery" and a therapist at PTSD Resolution, the Armed Forces' Veterans' mental health charity.
Read more...

Mental Health of Security Personnel

The mental health of security staff is an acute industry problem, particularly amongst frontline security officers - and especially during the pandemic, with the additional pressures and stress that this has brought for personnel.
"With almost 40 per cent of those surveyed exhibiting symptoms of PTSD, it leaves a very clear message that the issue of mental health is not currently being taken seriously by security managers." Read more...

New video:-
Our online therapy continues thanks to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. Throughout the pandemic we have continued to provide our free, prompt & effective therapy - thanks to the Covid Impact Fund, courtesy of the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. We are still here for UK Veterans, Reservists & families suffering the effects of trauma - our free treatment continues to be available ONLINE or by PHONE.

Click image to watch video

Jonathan Thomson rides the NC500 raising awareness for PTSD Resolution
During October 2020 a single rider set off on a 7-day attempt to ride the famous North Coast 500 through the highlands of Scotland. An incredibly tough ride even for young somethings. This unique and circular route starts and ends in Inverness.

Totals: 7 days, 862.1 K, (535 miles) 11,005 m climb, 48.61 hours in the saddle. Not bad for a 75-year-old.
Click the image to watch video.
Read more...

PTSD Understanding Recovery: The Book £12.99
PTSD: Understanding and Recovery' by Rosalind Townsend explains to those without any previous knowledge of trauma and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) what sufferers are going through and why. It provides a framework, which includes exercises and activities, to help traumatised people take back control of their minds and bodies and start along the road to recovery.

Read more

Big Give 2020: PTSD Resolution Launches Christmas Appeal The Big Give is now closed and we have reached our
target for matched funding.

But yes, you can still donate - and please do,
because Veterans need your help.
Please Donate Here!

Read more

75 year old Jonathan Thomson has completed the North Coast 500 to raise £10,000 for PTSD Resolution, a UK charity helping Veterans, Reservists and their families overcome trauma
A former Royal Marine, Jonathan describes PTSD as " a dreadful affliction that can affect those who have witnessed or been involved in traumatic events. Too many of our Veterans or those still serving suffer from it."
Read more

New Funding for Veterans Welfare by Armed Forces Covenant Fund
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust has awarded PTSD Resolution a grant of £35,000 under the Covid-19 Impact Programme. This will help the armed forces' mental health charity to maintain support for veterans while they face additional stress from the economic and social impact of the pandemic, at a time when donations to all charities have declined.
Read more

New Memorial Wall for Forces' Dead with No Marked Grave
VJ Day 75, August 15th 2020

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the victory over Japan, VJ Day, armed forces' charity PTSD Resolution has launched an online 'memorial wall' for relatives to remember veterans of the UK services in all wars who died without a known grave.
Read more

The Veterans Foundation is supporting PTSD Resolution with a grant of £19,500 to fund the charity's work in resolving the mental trauma of armed forces' veterans, reservists and their families.

With nearly 3,000 referrals to date, the therapy service is free of charge, through a network of 200 therapists nationwide and also delivered online and by phone.
Read more

PTSD Resolution: Delivering Brief and Effective Therapy to Veterans in Prisons
To date, PTSD Resolution has treated 104 ex-service men and women in 21 UK prisons - with good results. As an independent mental health charity with 200 therapists across the UK, PTSD Resolution has stepped up to confront a problem others ignore: PTSD is on the rise amongst ex-military personnel and, unsurprisingly, in prisons.

In fact, a 2018 study on mental health worldwide found that up to 27% of male prisoners - and 37% of female - suffer Post Traumatic Stress symptoms. The same study revealed 90% of detainees with PTSD have received no psychological treatment - making PTSD the least treated mental disorder in prisons
Read more

Armed Forces Day June 27: Help for Traumatised Veterans Locked Up During Lockdown
On Armed Forces Day, June 27, a mental health charity is highlighting the plight of armed forces' veterans in the UK criminal justice system, many of whom are suffering from military trauma and are not getting the therapeutic support that they need to get well and be rehabilitated, says PTSD Resolution.
Read more

VE DAY 2020: Still time to make a difference!

By the end of May, Matt Minshall, a former soldier and climber, will climb his stairs to the total height of Mont Blanc - that's 4810 metres! - all in support of PTSD Resolution.

Help Matt make the £1000 target! DONATE HERE:

Covid-19 means it's harder for us to find the funding we need to help Veterans, Reservists and their families. Many are really struggling with mental health issues under lockdown.

Read more

VE Day Veteran Paul Whitmore helped by Trauma Charity 75 years later

Paul Whitmore, a 94 year old army veteran of WW2 living in Torquay, has received help for mental health issues that date back to over 75 years ago. PTSD Resolution recently provided therapy to Paul; the charity helps veterans, reservists and their families with free treatment through 200 therapists nationwide and also now delivers programmes online during COVID-19 lockdown.

Read more

Secondary Trauma: The long-term impact of a Veteran's trauma
on a partner's health - and a message of hope

It was a week before Christmas 1993 when Sam met Scott at a nightclub in Bury. Two weeks later she moved in with him. This lightning romance was the start of a twenty-two year journey that would include joy - they welcomed a baby daughter soon after - but also tragedy.

Read more

FC: Falklands, Gulf and Northern Ireland Veteran
"My traumatic event took place in the Falklands, in particular the events of the 21st May 1982. I started having nightmares and flashbacks in the mid 1990s. At first these were infrequent. Recently I was under a tremendous amount of pressure, both at work and with domestic issues, and the nightmares/flashbacks increased - culminating in the worst attack I have ever had."

Read more

FDM Awarded Armed Forces Covenant ERS Gold Award
with PTSD Resolution Mental Health Programme
Employers are meeting their commitments under the Armed Forces Covenant by working with PTSD Resolution - the charity for forces veterans' mental health - and going on to win recognition with awards through the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).

Read More

Ian Young - An update
Last time we caught up with Ian Young he was preparing to represent GB at the 2017 Invictus games in Canada. A huge achievement, he went on to be an Ambassador for the 2018 games and is currently an athletics coach for Invictus 2020.

It's been a long recovery journey from his initial diagnosis to today - and Ian is keen to break down the stigma surrounding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and emphasise the importance of asking for help.

Read More

As bonfire night draws closer we offer a gentle reminder - fireworks aren't fun for everyone.
For Veterans suffering from PTSD, fireworks aren't a harmless way to celebrate but can trigger a traumatic reaction. On 11th November we will pause and pay tribute to our Service men and women, so, why not - just days before - spare a thought for Veterans like Jason Haynes.

Jason's trauma and PTSD diagnosis means the 5th November isn't carefree as it once was. As with many Veterans, the widespread and largely unregulated use of fireworks on and around bonfire night can be intensely triggering:

Read More

World Mental Health Day 2019:
10 October 2019:
Focus on Suicide Prevention

Every 40 seconds, someone loses their life to suicide. Join us, on 10 October, in "40 seconds of action" to raise awareness of the scale of suicide around the world and the role that each of us can play to help prevent it.

PTSD Resolution makes a major contribution to the welfare of Forces Veterans' mental health and suicide prevention. Anyone who wants help - promptly, free of charge and available locally - or to make a donation in support of this great work can visit here.

Read More

'City Security' magazine Autumn 2019:

You have invested in mitigating risk and ensuring the resilience of your systems and property - but what about your security personnel?

Have you considered how they may be affected if they have to deal with a traumatic event, and the aftermath?

Read More

Fighting Fit

Síle Uí Chiaráin MHGI, HGDip, scribing for and collaborating with a Kosovo and Iraq, veteran who suffered a series of severe shocks and traumas throughout his life, most recently in the army which resulted in chronic PTSD. Since being picked up by PTSD Resolution and exposed to the bio-psycho-social model of psychotherapy that is Human Givens, said ex vet is living a safer, happier, healthier life and is optimistic for his future.

Read More

The Autumn Newsletter is now available

Click the link below to see the new newsletter

Read More

Shell Shock Walk for Forces' Veterans Mental Health - 14th September 2019

PTSD Resolution, the charity supporting the mental health of forces' veterans, reservists and their families, is organising the third annual 'Shell Shock Walk' in London on Saturday 14th September, 2019. The walk from Wandsworth Bridge to Tower Bridge is over eight miles and starts at 13:30 - details are at www.ptsdresolution.org/shellshockwalk.php.

Read More

Visit PTSD Resolution at IFSEC 2019, Stand No: IF1016

ISEC International 2019 has appointed PTSD Resolution as an official charity for the security exhibition at the Excel Centre, June 18 - 20/

IFSEC International is the biggest security exhibition in Europe. It takes place over three days at London Excel.

IFSEC International welcomes over 27,000 global security professionals to experience the latest technological innovations and hear from industry leaders - all under one roof, over three days.

Read More

'Shadow' Population of Forces' Veterans who suffer PTSD without Help Many UK armed forces' veterans are suffering from the effects of military trauma, but are going without any official diagnosis or help according to a new survey of 3,000 former armed forces' personnel conducted by charity PTSD Resolution.
Unknown and untreated, this 'shadow' population receives no appropriate medical or counselling support, says PTSD Resolution; they may number as many veterans as are diagnosed with PTSD through the NHS and healthcare organisations for former servicemen and women.

Read More

PTSD Resolution 10th Anniversary Conference, 18th May 2019
A highly successful PTSD Resolution conference marked the 10th anniversary of the charity and was attended by HG (Human Givens) therapists, as well as forces' veterans and family members who have received treatment successfully for mental health issues.

The conference is for the 200 Human Givens therapists, as part of their continuous professional development, and is also open to other healthcare and military professionals with an interest in military mental health.

Read More

CSR and The Armed Forces Covenant: Organisations' Responsibilities

The Armed Forces Covenant is a commitment by public and private sector organisations to support those who have served in the UK armed forces. It should be a key part of every director's CSR (Corporate & Social Responsibility) programme.

PTSD Conference, London 18th May 2019 Armed Forces' Veterans Charity celebrates 10 years of outstanding service.
PTSD Resolution - the second largest UK military mental health charity, and member of Cobseo, the Confederation of Service Charities - is marking its 10th anniversary at its biennial Conference in London on 18th May.

"Walk Round The World" for Resolution
Charity Event - We aim to cover the distance round the World - 40076 kilometres - by logging our daily walking, jogging, cycling or wheelchair travel.

As at 1st April 2019 we have walked over 17000 kms - more than 30% of the distance around the world - and raised over £6000 - let's make it to £10000

We are doing this for Resolution - Why not join in?

PTSD Resolution has released a new PowerPoint presentation available for download.
This new content (available with and without additional video) is a concise, multimedia guide to who we are, what we do and what you can do to help. It can be used as a presentation aid - or more generally to clarify our mission, our history and our process.

Read More

Run the Brighton Marathon and support Veterans' mental health charity, PTSD Resolution
We have tickets for the Brighton Marathon taking place on the 14th April 2019, to reserve your ticket please contact us at komeara@ptsdresolution.org

PTSD Resolution provides free, effective local and prompt treatment to Veterans, Reservists and their families who have experienced trauma. It delivers treatment through a nationwide network of over 200 qualified therapists. It receives no government funding and needs your help to continue delivering support for those who need it.

Read More

New Book - 'PTSD: Understanding and Recovery', by Rosalind Townsend

PTSD: Understanding and Recovery' by Rosalind Townsend explains to those without any previous knowledge of trauma and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) what sufferers are going through and why. It provides a framework, which includes exercises and activities, to help traumatised people take back control of their minds and bodies and start along the road to recovery.

The Big Give 2018: Your Donation DOUBLED

Donations will be doubled when any anyone donates online via the Big Give to support Forces' Veterans mental health services provided by charity PTSD Resolution, from 12pm (midday) on 27th November. The event closes seven days later, at 12pm midday 4th December.

TANYA TAKES ON KILIMANJARO TO RAISE £3,000 for PTSD Resolution
When Tanya Hodges was a young woman her father Raymond sadly passed away. He had served all over the world for over 20 years in the Royal Navy, and the stories he told her about his travels made a huge impression on her.

Tanya now works on a daily basis with ex-members of the armed forces, as part of her role as Security Trainer at Gatwick Airport, a job she enjoys immensely.

ASIS - Special Remembrance Fundraising Event
ASIS UK are hosting a charity fundraising remembrance event immediately after our winter seminar and AGM from 6pm on 13th November to commemorate 100 years since the end of World War I.

Join us and our Charity Partner PTSD Resolution for drinks, canapés entertainment and a raffle at the Francis Crick Institute where we will be joined by a host of serving and former military veterans to mark this momentous occasion.

A Mile in my Boots
On the 3rd October a team from the 1st Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, took off from Catterick, North Yorkshire and over 7 days made their way down through the UK to Warminster, Wiltshire, finishing at their camp Battlesbury Barracks in Warminster on World Mental Health Day.

Each day they will TAB (tactical advance to battle) between 30-40 miles carrying 15kg (33lbs). By the end of the week they will have travelled 435km (267 miles).

The Shell Shock Walk Sep 15th 2018
With our steadfast band of loyal supporters the walkers we set off from the Waterfront Pub in Wandsworth to raise funds for PTSD Resolution. We also met to remember the fallen and injured of the Great War - particularly those who suffered from Shell Shock, later known as military PTSD; some of whom unfortunately were either imprisoned or executed for alleged cowardice or desertion.

PTSD Resolution Appoints Security Industry Ambassadors

Graham Bassett and Mike Hurst, security industy recruitment specialists, have been appointed as Ambassadors to represent the charity PTSD Resolution. Both are Vice Chairmen of ASIS in the UK - a leading organisation for security professionals that has 35,000 members worldwide

I spent eight years working as a submariner in the Royal Navy. I loved my job - I was away for four or five months of the year and visited plenty of foreign ports. But after seven years' service, I decided to leave. My wife was expecting our second child and having missed so much of my first born's life, I wanted to be there.

Read More

Veterans' mental health charity, PTSD Resolution, is calling for your support on Armed Forces Day on 30 June.

PTSD Resolution provides free, effective local and prompt treatment to Veterans, Reservists and their families who have experienced trauma. It delivers treatment through a nationwide network of over 200 qualified therapists. It receives no government funding and needs your help to continue delivering support for those who need it.
Read More

ASIS UK has announced it is to partner with the charity PTSD Resolution to access the national network of therapists for the treatment of trauma for our members.

ASIS International is the largest organisation for security professionals, with more than 38,000 members worldwide including 750 in the UK.

Evidence: "A Service Evaluation of PTSD Resolution Client Outcome Data", Burdett & Greenberg 2016".
27/09/2016: The King's Centre for Military Mental Health Research has completed a service evaluation of PTSD Resolution client outcome data

Professor Neil Greenberg and Dr Howard Burdett compared treatment outcomes in 504 PTSD Resolution clients with data from the NHS Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme.

First 'Shell Shock Walk' Raises New Funds for Veterans' Welfare
Supporters of PTSD Resolution raised new funding of over £1500 on the first 'Shell Shock Walk' on Saturday 17th September. If you were unable to join the walk you can still donate here:-
Donate to the Shell Shock Walk HERE

22 PressUps: Get Fit, Have Fun, Help our Veterans
WHEN 43-year-old Craig Robinson's pals nominated him on Facebook to complete the 22 Press Ups challenge for charity PTSD Resolution, he decided to call in back up. He rounded up some rugby friends and organised a pub crawl with a difference, carrying out the challenge in 22 pubs from Bingley's Wetherspoons to the City Vaults and The City Gent.

PTSD Resolution Therapists now Accredited by UK's PSA
Today brings an exciting announcement for all of us at PTSD Resolution involved in and committed to the Human Givens approach to resolving military trauma: the register of the Human Givens Institute (HGI) has been accredited under the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) for Health and Social Care in the UK, under its Accredited Registers Programme. www.ptsdresolution.org

Take steps for PTSD Resolution and challenge yourself, your friends, colleagues, families and children to take part in PTSD Resolution's Walk Round the World (WRTW) and raise funds for former Service men and women and their families who are struggling from the trauma of conflict and help them get back to a normal life.

PTSD Resolution Appeal
PTSD Resolution has launched a new appeal for funding so that it can continue to provide support for UK Forces' Veterans and their families.

"This is a most compelling book which tells the story of those who have suffered so much in the conduct of operation to protect our security. Mental health pressures need to move centre stage in our priorities - now!" General the Lord Richard Dannatt

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A fund-raising track day at Castle Combe motor circuit near Chippenham on Wednesday 21st October 2015 raised £3,000 for PTSD Resolution

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PTSD Resolution Charity for UK Forces Veterans Mental Health

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Read More... Mental Health Initiative launched by Institute of Directors The Institute of Directors Sussex is organising an online webinar 'Mental Health, Emotional Resilience and dealing with uncertainty and adversity' on 12 Mar 2021 from 12:15 to 13:30. It is free to join online.

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Apply for your War Pension Exemption Certificate via Veterans UK.

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As part of a pharmacy's Terms of Service, pharmacy staff must ask any person who makes a declaration that the patient is exempt from paying a prescription charge to produce satisfactory evidence of such entitlement. The legislative requirement is set out in paragraph 7 of the Terms of Service, which is available to view here.

Where appropriate, pharmacy staff should advise patients of the required certificates and how they might go about obtaining them (e.g. Medical Exemption Certificates required for patients suffering from diabetes, epilepsy etc. as well as exemption certificates on maternity grounds, low income, or Prescription Prepayment Certificates (PPC)).

If a patient is unsure whether they are entitled to free prescriptions, pharmacy staff should advise the patient to pay for their prescription and provide them with an FP57 Refund form with information on how to claim a refund at a later date. Further information for patients can be found at www.nhs.uk/healthcosts.

If a valid certificate of exemption has been shown, for example a medical exemption certificate or pre-payment certificate, and noted on the PMR along with the certificate's expiry date, it is not necessary to ask the patient to show proof again within the validity of that certificate. Patients claiming exemption because they receive Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance (income-based) should be asked to provide their evidence of entitlement on each occasion.

Where patients do not have evidence or where there is doubt over whether the evidence provided is appropriate, the "Evidence not Seen" box on the back of the prescription should be marked with an X by pharmacy staff. Pharmacy staff need not refuse to dispense items on the basis that the patient does not provide evidence of their entitlement to free prescriptions.

NHS fraud checking notification

On 1 July 2016, pharmacy contractors will be required by their Terms of Service, before supplying the drug or appliance, to advise the person claiming exemption from payment of NHS prescription charges - where evidence is required but not provided - that NHS checks are routinely undertaken to verify that such persons are exempt from payment of NHS prescription charges, as part of arrangements for preventing or detecting fraud or error. It is up to pharmacy teams how this is done but it must be in "appropriate terms". The PSNC Briefing 032/16: NHS fraud checking notification (June 2016) includes our tips of key things to consider to make compliance with this new requirement a matter of routine.

Patient requirements

Pharmacy contractors are in no way responsible for the accuracy of a patient's declaration; this remains the responsibility of the patient. NHS Protect have a responsibility to check for prescription charge exemption fraud and patients found to have wrongly claimed for free prescriptions, could face a penalty charge and in some cases prosecution. This applies even where the patient has a medical condition which qualifies for exemption, if the patient does not have a valid exemption certificate on the date the patient is asked to pay or complete the exemption declaration.

Exemption categories and proof required

Age exempt
Children under 16 years of age and men and women aged 60 years and over are entitled to exemption.

If the patient is exempt for this reason and their date of birth is computer generated on the prescription or included in the electronic prescription message, the patient is not required to complete the exemption declaration and no evidence is required. If the date of birth is hand-written or not computer printed on the prescription, the patient must complete the exemption declaration. Evidence that could be shown includes a passport, birth certificate, or any other official papers showing the patient's name and date of birth. For children under 16, if the child is obviously under 16, no evidence is required.

N/A

Full-time Students aged 16, 17 or 18
Must be aged 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education. Full-time education means you must be receiving full-time instruction from a recognised educational establishment, such as a school, college or university; therefore apprenticeships are not eligible. (However patients may qualify for a HC2 certificate under the NHS Low Income Scheme)

Evidence that should be shown is proof of the patient's date of birth (see above) and proof that the patient is a full-time student (e.g. Student Card or letter from school/college).

Proof can be obtained from the patient's school, college, university or local education authority (LEA).

Patients who have a valid Maternity Exemption Certificate
Pregnant women and those who have had a baby in the last 12 months get free prescriptions if they have a valid Maternity Exemption Certificate.

A patient in receipt of a Maternity Exemption Certificate who has a miscarriage, abortion/termination of pregnancy or stillborn birth is entitled to use their Maternity Exemption Certificate for NHS Prescriptions until the certificate expires.

Patients are required to complete a FW8 form available from GPs, Midwives and health visitors. The GP, Midwife or Health professional is required to sign the form and send it off to the Pricing Authority who will issue the certificate. More information is available on their website.

Patients who have a valid Medical Exemption Certificate
To claim exemption under this category, it is necessary for the patient to have a valid medical exemption certificate, not simply a medical condition.

The list of conditions which would entitle a patient to a medical exemption certificate can be found in Part XVI of the Drug Tariff. Medical exemption certificates are typically, although not uniformly valid for 5 years. Note: a medical exemption certificate is always required - the fact that a patient has one of the qualifying conditions is not sufficient to claim entitlement to exemption from the charge.

Patients are required to complete a FP92A form which is available from GP surgeries. The GP is required to sign the form and send it off to the Pricing Authority who will issue the certificate. More information is available on their website.

Patients who have a valid Prescription Pre-payment Certificate (PPC)
Anyone can purchase a PPC.

Appropriate evidence of exemption would be the certificate itself. Note: Patients may backdate their PPC up to one month from the date that they apply. If the patient intends to buy a PPC, they should be asked to pay for their prescription, provided with the FP57 Receipt and advised on how to obtain a refund. (Pharmacies can obtain copies of Form FP95 PPC application leaflet from their local NHS England team). The cost of prescription prepayment certificates is currently £29.10 for 3 months or £104.00 for 12 months.

Patients can obtain a prescription pre-payment certificate by completing a FP95 form which is available from pharmacies and doctors surgeries. Pharmacies can obtain copies of the FP95 form from their local NHS England team.

Alternatively, patients can order a PPC over the telephone with a credit or debit card (0300 0330 1341) or from the NHSBSA website.

The Pricing Authority is responsible for issuing Prescription Pre-payment Certificates. More information is available on their website.

The patient is named on a current HC2 Charges Certificate
Anyone on a low income can apply to get this certificate.

Appropriate evidence of exemption would be the certificate itself. Patients who are not entitled to help with health costs under any other category may apply for help under the NHS Low Income Scheme.

Patients may claim for help with health costs under the NHS Low Income Scheme using the HC1 form, obtainable from Jobcentre Plus Office or by calling 0300 330 1343. HC1 forms may also be available from the local hospital, dentist, optician or GP surgery. Pharmacies can obtain copies of Form HC1 by calling 3M Supplies on 0300 123 0849 Option 1.

The Pricing Authority administer the NHS Low Income Scheme, more information is available on their website.

The patient or his/her Partner is entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS Tax Credit (TC) Exemption Certificate
Not all patients receiving tax credits are entitled to free prescriptions - those patients that are entitled are automatically sent an ' NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate ' by the Pricing Authority.

Appropriate proof of exemption would be the NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate.

Exemption certificates are sent automatically to eligible patients. Patients who are unsure as to whether they are entitled to help with health costs via tax credits, can contact HM Revenue and Customs for support: 0345 300 3900.

The Patient or his/her Partner is receiving Income Support (IS)
Exemption certificates are
sent automatically to eligible
patients.

Note some letters and documents issued by the DWP about income support, while relating to the patient (or their partner) do not show dates of entitlement therefore these are not acceptable evidence. An entitlement letter from the Jobcentre Plus Office would be appropriate evidence of exemption.

Patients can speak to their Jobcentre Plus Office.

People Receiving Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
Note there are two types of Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), income based and contribution based. Only receipt of income based JSA entitles patients to free prescriptions.

JSA is paid by giro cheque or BACS two weeks in arrears so patients may not have evidence. A letter from the DSS/patient's local Job Centre Plus Office that states their entitlement would be appropriate evidence. The letter must confirm that the patient was entitled to free prescriptions on the date the patient completed the exemption declaration.

Patients can speak to their Jobcentre Plus Office.

Universal Credit (UC)
As part of the government's changes to the benefit system, UC is a new benefit introduced from April 2013. Those receiving this benefit will be eligible for free prescriptions.

A valid UC award letter bearing their name
(either as the recipient or because they are
a partner or child of the recipient) is
appropriate proof; they should sign to
declare their exemption and will need to
tick the box for "income based
Jobseeker's Allowance".

Please see our page on Universal Credit update or further information can be found here.

The Patient or his/her Partner is getting Pension Credit Guarantee Credit (PCGC)
Those in receipt of PCGC.

A letter from the DSS/patient's local Job Centre Plus Office would be appropriate proof. The letter must confirm that the patient was entitled to free prescriptions on the date the patient completed the exemption declaration.

Patients can speak to their Jobcentre Plus Office.

The Patient is a War Pensioner holding a War Pension Exemption Certificate and the Prescription is for the Accepted Disablement
Those holding a War Pension Exemption Certificate.

Appropriate proof of exemption would be a war pension exemption certificate.

Patients can apply for a war pension exemption certificate by writing to The Veterans Agency, Norcross, Blackpool FY5 3WP. or telephoning 0800 169 2277.

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Only patients receiving the income related strand of ESA will be entitled to free prescriptions.

The patient should be able to provide evidence in the form of a DWP award notice.

Patients can speak to their Jobcentre Plus Office.

Prisoners on Release
Prisoners on release and those released from secure
accommodation (secure accommodation is defined as a court, a secure training centre or a secure children's home) who present an FP10 or FP10 (MDA).

The letters 'HMP', and the prison or secure accommodation address and telephone number must be printed in the box provided for the practice address on the front of the form, along with the prescribing code and the cost centre code for the organisation.

N/A

Ineligible reasons for exemption

PSNC sometimes receives queries about the following criteria and we would just like to clarify that these reasons are NOT eligible for exemption from prescription charges in England:

Those receiving incapacity benefit or the contribution based Jobseeker's allowance.

Asylum seekers - they are instead supported by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) who will automatically send an NHS Low Income Scheme HC2 certificate which entitles them to full help with help costs including free prescriptions. Alternatively patients can apply for support using the HC1 application form.

EPS exemption status to be entered onto each electronic prescription

In addition to the current endorsing information, pharmacy staff will also have to mark whether a prescription charge was levied for a prescription, and where relevant the prescription charge exemption category and whether evidence of exemption was seen. The exception to this is where the patient is age exempt and the patient's date of birth is included in the electronic prescription message.

Pharmacy system suppliers have flexibility in the way they support pharmacists in entering this information, for instance if pharmacy staff have already recorded the details of a valid exemption certificate, e.g. a pre-payment certificate, the system could be set to pre-populate this information on the system - the pharmacy would still be required to collect the patients exemption declaration on the prescription or dispensing token where required.

See more at our EPS exemption page or in the factsheet below:

Contraceptives

Part XVI, Clause 10 of the Drug Tariff sets out the arrangements for charging of contraceptives.

Prescriptions for the following items are automatically exempt from prescription charges:

spermicidal gels, creams, films and aerosols

systemic contraceptive preparations listed in Part XVI

contraceptive devices listed in Part IXA of the Drug Tariff.

However, there are some products, such as Co-cyprindiol 2000mcg/35mcg tablets, which whilst they do not appear in Part XVI, are sometimes used for contraceptive purposes. In this scenario, if the doctor has endorsed the prescription with "CC", "OC" or the female symbol (♀) to make it clear that the item is for contraceptive use, the patient should not incur a prescription charge.

Where to find information about patient charge exemption certificates

FP57 forms

See page Where to obtain external resources

NHS Low Income Scheme

NHS Help with Health Costs: 0300 330 1343 or 0191 279 0565

Prescription pre-payment certificates (PPC)

The Pricing Authority: 0300 330 1341 or 0191 279 0563

Medical and Maternity exemption certificates

The Pricing Authority: 0300 330 1341 or 0191 279 0563

NHS Tax Exemption Certificate

NHS Help with Health Costs: 0300 330 1347 or 0191 279 0567

HC1 (low income scheme) details and related forms

See page Where to obtain external resources

Prescription Exemption Checking Service

NHS Prescription Exemption Checking Service: 0300 330 9291

You can also visit the Help with Health Costs website here.
FAQs
Q. Are young people aged 16, 17 or 18 on apprenticeships automatically exempt from prescription charges?
No. Whilst there is an exemption for those who are 16, 17 or 18 in full-time education, NHS Help with Health Costs have confirmed that apprenticeships do not qualify for free prescriptions. Full-time education means you must be receiving full-time instruction from a recognised educational establishment, such as a school, college or university.

However patients aged 16, 17 and 18 undertaking an apprenticeship who are on a low income are able to apply for help with their health costs using the HC1 form. If they are successful with their application, they will receive an HC2 certificate which would entitle the patient to receive free prescriptions.

More information on Help with Healthcare costs is available here.
Q. I have a prescription for a patient who was 59 when his prescription was written: however, the patient did not handover the prescription to be dispensed until they were 60. Is the patient age exempt from paying a prescription charge?
Yes, subject to the prescription still being within the period of validity. The reverse of a prescription says that entitlement to prescription exemption is based on the patient's circumstances on the day they are asked to pay. In this case, as the patient was over 60 when they entered the pharmacy to have their prescription dispensed, they would therefore be age exempt from paying a prescription charge.

For paper prescriptions, where the patient's age is shown on the front of the prescription as "59" they would not be age exempt, unless their 60th birthday has taken place between the time of being provided with the prescription and making their declaration of exemption. The patient should sign the back of the prescription form to declare that they are indeed over the age of 60 on the day they are asked to pay.

For EPS prescriptions, your EPS system may auto-suggest an exemption category but you may need to override this, e.g. systems might use the date the Dispense Notiﬁcation (DN) was sent and compare this with the patient's:

date of birth; or

certiﬁcate validity period recorded into the PMR.

However, the date the DN was sent may be diﬀerent to the date the patient was asked to pay, causing the need to override the exemption category suggested by the system. Please note: The printed patient's 'age' on a prescription token or dispensing token may show the age at the time of the printing.

You can check the paid/exemption category currently applied onto an electronic prescription using your PMR system.

For further information on EPS exemptions, see psnc.org.uk/epsexemption
Q. A person has presented a prescription and made a declaration that they are exempt from paying a prescription charge. I have asked them to produce satisfactory evidence of such entitlement, but they do not have it with them. Do I need to do anything else apart from ticking the "evidence not seen" box on the prescription?
Yes. From 1st July 2016, the Terms of Service are amended to require pharmacy contractors, before supplying the drug or appliance, to advise the person who has been asked to provide the evidence of entitlement to exemption that NHS checks are routinely undertaken to verify that persons are exempt from payment of NHS prescription charges as part of the relevant arrangements for preventing or detecting fraud or error.
Q. How can I use my PMR system to check and amend EPS Release 2 exemptions to avoid switches and payment issues?

You can check the paid/exemption category currently applied onto an electronic prescription using your PMR system.

PMR systems should assist users by (1) preventing prescriptions being sent to the Pricing Authority unless an exemption category option has been selected; and/or (2) where needed, asking whether either, the 'paid' status is right, or, if instead, the category needs adjusting.

EPS prescriptions should also be able to have their exemption status amended at any time after claim notification has been sent, and the EPS prescription has been sent to the Pricing Authority, as long as the prescription's relevant '5th of the month' pricing deadline has not passed (see EPS five day window logic). NHS Digital has made amendments to the Spine to allow this functionality to be implemented and one PMR system already has this functionality available to users according to NHS Digital information.

For further information on EPS exemptions, see psnc.org.uk/epsexemption

Related resources
Dispensing Factsheet: Checking Prescription Exemption Status EPS exemption Prescription charge refunds What does the patient pay? Prescription Charge Card and Multi Charge Card Is this prescription form valid? Who can prescribe what? Controlled Drug prescription forms and validity How to identify prescriber codes
Prescription form section of the Pricing Authority's website (external)

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QUICK LINKS REF: Drug Tariff Part XVI EPS exemption Switching Prescription Charge Refunds As part of a pharmacy's Terms of Service, pharmacy staff must ask any person who makes a declaration that the patient is exempt from paying a prescription charge to produ

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