Veterans Card

[GreyWing]

I'm just reading this story on the times and it mentions something called a Veterans Card. I've not seen it being discussed before.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/...ld-to-hire-veterans-to-secure-deals-x5w3r3vjc

Defence companies seeking work from the government will have to publish details of how many military veterans they employ under plans to improve the status of former members of the armed forces.

Government departments would also publish details of the veterans they employ under plans drawn up by Tobias Ellwood, the defence minister responsible for veterans.

Ministers announced last week that Britain’s 2.5m veterans would be given their own identity card in the form of a special driving licence stamped with a large “V”, which will be introduced next year. It will give them easy access to priority healthcare and housing plus discount offers.

In America, companies that fulfil defence contracts have to meet a rule that at least 7.5% of their employees are people who have served, or are reservists.

Such quotas are illegal under EU law and the government will not set a limit here yet, but, at a meeting of the ministerial veterans board last month, Ellwood proposed a system to publicise the number of veterans.

He told The Sunday Times: “I’m now looking at ways government can do more to help vets leverage their transferable skills from the armed forces environment to civilian life and also kill the perception that those departing the armed forces are likely to be ‘mad, bad or sad’.

“The reality is, compared with the general population, those departing the forces are mentally and physically healthier across the board and have much to offer.

“I encourage any organisation to pause to think what a vet could bring to your business.

“The transferable skills they take into civilian life are phenomenal. They are natural leaders and can work in a team.”

 

[Chelonian]

"It will give them easy access to priority healthcare and housing plus discount offers."

I'll believe that when I see it. Although Burger King, etc. will undoubtedly speedily offer appropriate discounts.

But it's an interesting initiative. The media has naturally focused on the "special" driving licence. All well and good as long as there is a real improvement to the support available to veterans. And DVLA charges about £10 for some amendments to Driving Licences so the devil may well lie in the detail.

 

[ThreadpigeonsAlpha]

What if I don’t want a big V on my driving license, in the interest of PERSEC?

 

[Chelonian]

What if I don’t want a big V on my driving license, in the interest of PERSEC?

That crossed my mind too. Although anyone wanting it might have to opt in by shelling out £10 for the privilege. Not to mention it being a Walt's charter when attempting to explain away his VC and Relief of Mafeking medals at a Remembrance Sunday parade.

 

[Caversham]

HMG has come up with various initiatives over the years where they proclaim their support for veterans, none of which has really done what the ministers actually said would happen, including the Veteran's Charter and various other sound bites including fast track health care, but when you see former service men and women homeless it somewhat leaves it wanting in substance.

We have a long way to go before we reach the level of support that veterans in the USA receive and in my opinion we are just paying lip service to those who have sacrificed an awful lot more than those who take more out of the system than they currently do.

A poxy great V on my licence does nothing to enhance my current view.

Alan

 

[cc1]

They could always just mark our NHS records with a massive "V". I'll eat my own testimonial if it ever entitles any serving member of the forces to preferential treatment.

I do get preferential treatment when in certain hospitals but only because my wife works there and I've made good friends with the triage nurses in A&E! If you ever meet a nurse or doctor ashore: buy them a pint

 

[Chelonian]

They could always just mark our NHS records with a massive "V".

I can't help thinking that one's notes marked in such a way might be considered by some to be an indicator of the presence of a Venereal Disease!

 

[Ninja_Stoker]

If it entitles people to discounts or preferential treatment, even if there's an initial token outlay (bearing in mind driving licences only last 10 years anyway), I think it's a good idea in principle.

Apart from a hostage situation, obvs.

 

[Caversham]

They could always just mark our NHS records with a massive "V". I'll eat my own testimonial if it ever entitles any serving member of the forces to preferential treatment.

I do get preferential treatment when in certain hospitals but only because my wife works there and I've made good friends with the triage nurses in A&E! If you ever meet a nurse or doctor ashore: buy them a pint

There is a system in place whereby that is you need referral for a consultant then you tell the GP and he/she flags you up for fast tracking. Whether it works or not is open to debate.

For those with bad joints, I would suspect most, you may find the following interesting and is copied from OAMAAM.

As a veteran, you can ask for a referral to a specialist Orthopaedic clinic at The Robert Jones & Edith Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 7AG. There is a specific Veterans Clinic run by Lt Col Carl Meyer, an Army Reserve consultant surgeon who also works with 202 Field Ambulance and Reserve Hospital.
What is it? A service for military veterans to have their hip or knee arthritis assessed and, if appropriate, have joint replacement surgery and is led by Lt Col Carl Meyer, Military Consultant Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Surgeon at Oswestry’s specialist orthopaedic hospital. Lt Col Meyer is an Army Reserve officer who has been on three tours to Afghanistan and one to Iraq. He is an Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeon with 16 Medical Regiment, 202 (Midlands) Field Hospital.
�Who is it for? Anyone who has been in regular military service, including national service.
�Where is it? The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (RJAH), Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 7AG ,and is a centre of orthopaedic excellence specialising in lower limb replacement surgery.
�When is it? Outpatient clinics are held fortnightly at RJAH. (Normally on a Wednesday)
�How do I obtain an NHS referral ? Through your GP - Ask to be referred to the VETERANS’ HIP & KNEE SURGERY SERVICE at Oswestry - And ask your GP to make a named referral to Lt Col Meyer�
Contact information Email:
rebecca.ann.jones@rjah.nhs.uk Fax: 01691 404067 Tel: 01691 404344
Your records at your GP needs to be annotated with the NHS issued codes for military/veterans, take photocopies of your red discharge book, because he will ask for proof that you're a veteran.
Military medical codes
13J1. Military veteran
13JY. History relating to Military Service
13qo. History relating to Army Service
13q1. History relating to RN Service
13q2. History relating to RAF Service
13q3. Served in the Armed Forces

There are a couple of posts by guys who have used the service and they rate it. Interestingly if you live in Scotland you have to request funding from NHS Scotland and they, apparently, are not forthcoming.

Alan

 

[Chelonian]

There is a system in place whereby that is you need referral for a consultant then you tell the GP and he/she flags you up for fast tracking. Whether it works or not is open to debate.

This does work but as you suggest it's haphazard and often dependent on individual GP awareness and competence. One issue—particularly with mental health welfare—is that veterans with such conditions are often the least able to flag themselves as qualifying for fast tracking. And GPs don't routinely ask to examine patients' driving licences. A broader approach such as a V-suffix on National Insurance numbers could perhaps improve access.

 

[Ninja_Stoker]

And GPs don't routinely ask to examine patients' driving licences.

Depends where it's stuck, I guess.

 

[arny01]

If it entitles people to discounts or preferential treatment, even if there's an initial token outlay (bearing in mind driving licences only last 10 years anyway), I think it's a good idea in principle.

Apart from a hostage situation, obvs.

The Defence Discount service does the same thing. £5 for the card for 5 years.

https://www.defencediscountservice.co.uk

 

[Caversham]

The Defence Discount service does the same thing. £5 for the card for 5 years.

https://www.defencediscountservice.co.uk

The companies that have signed up to this and offer discounts is huge. From major airlines to cruise ships, restaurants, car hire et al! Well worth the fiver.

Alan

 

[Ninja_Stoker]

The companies that have signed up to this and offer discounts is huge. From major airlines to cruise ships, restaurants, car hire et al! Well worth the fiver.

Alan

They are the officially recognised discount scheme kicked-off by Hammond and are a registered company operating under the Blue Light Card Company https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/06581540/filing-history

My only slight reservation is they are a government sponsored commercial enterprise generating revenue in addition to offering discounts.

Better than nothing asmittedly, but they make money for themselves primarily.

 

[ERFC]

The companies that have signed up to this and offer discounts is huge. From major airlines to cruise ships, restaurants, car hire et al! Well worth the fiver.

Alan

I knew I could get 10% off Nando’s but never realised this card existed! Just signed up and there are plenty of really good offers about. I’m not sure how many people know about this particular card but it’s definatrly worth the fiver.

 

[DutyWretch]

Don't get the negativity.

If lads are worried about opsec, it's not compulsory.

I personally can't see a negative.

Some cop pulling me over for doing 42 in a 40 (this happened) maybe less inclined to treat me like a scroat and lash me up with 3 points.


Of course it's going to nail walts too.


The one downside is there's no divide between combat veterans and duty dohbi washers..That'll be a bloaters paradise, spinning chad dits with a thousand yard stare, will be all the more authentic, when they accidentally drop their license..

 

[ThreadpigeonsAlpha]

You may call me V.

 

[Fibonarchie]

Don't get the negativity.

If lads are worried about opsec, it's not compulsory.

I personally can't see a negative.

Some cop pulling me over for doing 42 in a 40 (this happened) maybe less inclined to treat me like a scroat and lash me up with 3 points.


Of course it's going to nail walts too.


The one downside is there's no divide between combat veterans and duty dohbi washers..That'll be a bloaters paradise, spinning chad dits with a thousand yard stare, will be all the more authentic, when they accidentally drop their license..

Tell him to prove it. Well within your rights and the copper can’t do anything because 2mph on a radar doesn’t stand up in court because they have a 5mph degree of error.

 

[GreyWing]

Of course it's going to nail walts too.

I'm not so sure mate. It might have the opposite effect. Don't most Walts usually have some form of military experience, whether it be a few weeks of training or something. They might genuinely qualify for it after a few weeks training. I wonder if they will apply for it?