Combat stress obviously is not a medical condition??

[somewhere]

Hello CAG ! You have been such a great help with lots of issues, however this time I fear , even you won’t change things.

 

Sorry if posting in the wrong place – have posted twice, once under Armed Forces and also under Benefits & HMRC

 

So call this a ‘rant’, because I have to tell someone !

 

In short, I can’t say too much, my partner, ex royal marine, saw active service on his country’s behalf, everywhere in the world there was conflict – a decorated hero, now broken.

 

With terrible nightmares he is diagnosed with chronic PTSD due to combat, I cannot begin to tell you what he has seen in the service of his country or the dark places he now seems to visit on a daily basis.

 

Croydon are the worst borough I have ever experienced dealings with. I am not a Croydon girl and for that I am grateful. I have tried to get him medical help in the borough, he is fully diagnosed and ‘in the system’, acknowledged as a ‘vulnerable’ person.

 

I have been trying to get him DLA for about five months.

 

ATOS, who requested a medical assessment in order to assess his DLA entitlement, have to date, cancelled five medical appointments, each hours before the appointment. DLA has during that time ceased to exist.

 

Croydon’s Mental Health medical facilities, pushed him from pillar to post, for two months, and finally, he has been offered an appointment within six to twelve months.

 

ATOS cancelled his appointment again last week – and that was the final straw. This man is frightened of stepping outside his flat, frightened of what he might do, thinks he is in a combat zone or sometimes so desperate he wants to quit.

 

Perhaps if he lived in another borough it would be better. I don’t know...but he paid his taxes...fought for his country...and is being treated without any thought for his well being or dignity.

 

He is a shadow of his former self...drinking at night is a better reality for him than the one that haunts him.

I have lost most of him –he is a desperate man who will take desperate measures and I and family, are going to lose him entirely.

Why will nobody put themselves out to help him – he put himself out for us. I am at a loss, I won’t give up but fear by the time I get to someone who cares, it will be too late.

 

Any bright ideas anyone ???

[renegadeimp]

ATOS is a private company who dont care about people. They pretty much get money from the goverment for the amount of people they reject for various benefits, and to get them on the back to work list. Hell, most of the medical interviews arent even performed by doctors.

 

I dont have an answer for your question right now, but im sure there are plenty of people that do.

 

Can i ask if he has been through his own doctor for the various medical examinations they can do to help him? This would show ATOS up to be the [edited] they really are.

Edited August 24, 2013 by honeybee13
Pejorative term removed.

[somewhere]

Yes - he is diagnosed by his doctor and referred with full details of symptoms,( including his own notes re combat, which the doctor felt worthy of including)for further help.....this will be in approx. 9-12 months time when the first appointment will be available. Thanks for caring

[somewhere]

Hello CAG ! You have been such a great help with lots of issues, however this time I fear , even you won’t change things.

 

Sorry if posting in the wrong place – have posted twice, once under Armed Forces and also under Benefits & HMRC

 

So call this a ‘rant’, because I have to tell someone !

 

In short, I can’t say too much, my partner, ex royal marine, saw active service on his country’s behalf, everywhere in the world there was conflict – a decorated hero, now broken.

 

With terrible nightmares he is diagnosed with chronic PTSD due to combat, I cannot begin to tell you what he has seen in the service of his country or the dark places he now seems to visit on a daily basis.

 

Croydon are the worst borough I have ever experienced dealings with. I am not a Croydon girl and for that I am grateful. I have tried to get him medical help in the borough, he is fully diagnosed and ‘in the system’, acknowledged as a ‘vulnerable’ person.

 

I have been trying to get him DLA for about five months.

 

ATOS, who requested a medical assessment in order to assess his DLA entitlement, have to date, cancelled five medical appointments, each hours before the appointment. DLA has during that time ceased to exist.

 

Croydon’s Mental Health medical facilities, pushed him from pillar to post, for two months, and finally, he has been offered an appointment within six to twelve months.

 

ATOS cancelled his appointment again last week – and that was the final straw. This man is frightened of stepping outside his flat, frightened of what he might do, thinks he is in a combat zone or sometimes so desperate he wants to quit.

 

Perhaps if he lived in another borough it would be better. I don’t know...but he paid his taxes...fought for his country...and is being treated without any thought for his well being or dignity.

 

He is a shadow of his former self...drinking at night is a better reality for him than the one that haunts him.

 

I have lost most of him – he is a desperate man who will take desperate measures and I and family, are going to lose him entirely.

Why will nobody put themselves out to help him – he put himself out for us. I am at a loss, I won’t give up but fear by the time I get to someone who cares, it will be too late.

 

Any bright ideas anyone ???

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Have you sought help through and veterans organisations RBL etc ?

 

Or RM veteran care?

 

Has no care been offered in any way by the RN, or MOD?

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

I'm going to ask someone else to look in here.!

[somewhere]

I have tried most routes...he is typical....I have both legs, I'm, lucky etc... and his history is I'm sure you understand..'a little complicated'

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

I have tried most routes...he is typical....I have both legs, I'm, lucky etc... and his history is I'm sure you understand..'a little complicated'

All to well I'm sorry and embarrassed to admit!!

 

We will try to helps as much as we can!!

[somewhere]

Thank you....

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Thank you....

I can only apologise for this being missed until now.

[42man]

Have you also made your local MP aware too ?

[Nystagmite]

You have to remember that DLA is based on care and /or mobility needs and not the name of the condition.

 

You mention he's been told 6 to 12 months for an appointment with the mental health service. Can he request that if there's a cancellation, he's seen sooner?

 

Can any of the marine charities, (I don't know any, I'm afraid) help him?

[citizenB]

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?400978-Combat-stress-obviously-is-not-a-medical-condition

 

this is a duplicate thread - somewhere has rightly posted in two areas in order to maximise advice. The thread above is in the forum reserved for Forces personnel.

[antone]

Why on earth do Atos keep cancelling his appointments? I mean, if it happened once, well, unforeseen circumstances and all that. But five or six times? No, no, no. Complain to the DWP and directly to Atos.

[somewhere]

Have you also made your local MP aware too ?

 

No - but I'm doing it now... I'm not sure I hold out much hope on that score in Croydon going on past performance. However, I'm on it ! Thank you

[ScarletPimpernel]

Thanks to CitizenB for pointing me in the direction of this thread. My day job involves the care of wounded, injured and sick service personnel.

 

It seems to me there are two issues:

 

1. Your partner's current state of health

 

2. Benefits

 

Veterans are entitled to priority NHS care for issues relating to their service. See this link for details. One of the programmes is only available for those whose condition was brought about by service after 1982 - in other words post Falklands War - you don't say which conflicts your partner was involved in.

 

Combat Stress will help any veteran with mental health issues. They have a 24-hour helpline on 0800 138 1619, and their website has lots of useful information.

 

There are other organisations that may be able to help, either financially, or perhaps more importantly with accessing services and benefits.

 

SPVA, who parent the Veterans Welfare Service, should be able to help; however, they take forever to answer their phones. 0800 169 2277

 

Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund 023 9254 7201

 

CAB offers a specialist benefits and money advice service for veterans, sponsored by the RBL

 

I recommend Big White Wall to serving personnel and veterans with mental health issues, and their partners.

 

Help for Heroes can offer practical support and are also very good at speaking to the right people to get things done. The nearest Support Hub (lots of useful organisations in one place) is Tedworth House 01980 844224. You could also speak to H4H Band of Sisters 01980 844280, who support partners of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans. I have had lots of contact with Band of Sisters and Band of Brothers, and can't speak highly enough of them.

 

Royal Marines Association 02392 651519

 

Please let me know, either on this thread or by private message, if you need any more help.

 

Don't forget to look after yourself, too.

[stu007]

Hi somewhere

 

This sort of situation can certainly take its toll when you seem to ask for help in what seem the correct places only to have to door closed in your face so to speak.

 

I can certainly sympathise with your situation but please try not to let this get to you.

 

Now I would advise contacting the Royal British Legion and the Veterans Agency Welfare Support and specifically ask for a home visit.

 

Now I would also suggest Help for Heroes as well and remember there are new rehabilitation facilities for forces and exforces and these two link deal spacifically with combat stress and may be of help please think about contacting them:

 

Combat Stress link: http://www.combatstress.org.uk/

 

Army of Angels link: http://www.armyofangels.org.uk/

 

Veterans Agency link: http://www.veterans-uk.info/welfaresupportcontact.htm

 

PTSD Resolution link: http://www.ptsdresolution.org/index.html

 

Now did your partner leave service normally or were they medically discharged?

 

Does he receive Army Pension or War Pension?

 

Please keep us updated on your situation and if you just want to rant we are here

Edited August 24, 2013 by stu007

[citizenB]

Thank you SP for responding

 

Somewhere, lots of useful advice from SP. I hope you are able to get the help and advice your partner needs.

[somewhere]

Thank you everyone.....may I PM some answers ie.... 'where and when' would that be ok. ? I am very grateful for all suggestions and take them on board - this is a public forum.

[ScarletPimpernel]

I'm happy for you to pm me, and can guarantee confidentiality.

[citizenB]

Thank you everyone.....may I PM some answers ie.... 'where and when' would that be ok. ? I am very grateful for all suggestions and take them on board - this is a public forum.

 

yes, Scarlet Pimpernel has confirmed he is happy to accept private messages from you so that would be ok

 

Please do be aware though, that all caggers and especially site team are volunteers and have day jobs and other commitments. So if you don't receive a response immediately, please don't think you are being ignored.

[somewhere]

Thanks. I will over this w/e.

[ScarletPimpernel]

I will get back to you if you pm me, but it might take me a while as I'm on call over the weekend and Bank Holiday.

[sparky514]

have you tried getting in touch with your MP?, or even the British Legion, they are supposed to be good at helping ex soldiers, I really hope he gets some help soon, my brother served in NI at the height of the troubles, and it's taken him a lot of years to get where he is now, my thoughts are with you. Xx

[somewhere]

Thank you....it helps !