Prime Minister Visits and Backs Combat Stress Support for Veterans

LONDON, October 8, 2010 - Combat Stress today praised the Prime Minister's commitment to
implementing the recommendations of the Murrison report.

The Prime Minister's reiteration came during a visit today to
Combat Stress's Tyrwhitt House short-stay treatment centre in Surrey, where
he and Dr Murrison met with Veterans and toured the new wing of the centre.

Today's visit follows the Defence Secretary's pledge to
immediately implement Dr Murrison's recommendations for a dedicated 24-hour
support line for Veterans and the introduction of 30 mental health nurses in
Mental Health Trusts across the country.

Dr Chai Patel, Chairman of the Combat Stress 3-year GBP30m
fundraising drive 'The Enemy Within Appeal', said today:

"We are delighted by the Prime Minister's commitment to take
forward the recommendations of Dr Murrison's report. Combat Stress knows that
it is vital for Government and military charities to work together to ensure
Veterans can access services effectively and engage with the treatment
provided.

"The measures announced this week come at a time when the
numbers of Veterans needing help is continuing to grow, and yet we know that
Veterans wait on average 14 years before seeking Combat Stress's help. That's
why we launched The Enemy Within Appeal earlier this year, which I hope will
continue to be supported both by the public and politicians alike in order to
ensure that Veterans get the support that they need, when and where they need
it."

Notes for Editors

1. Combat Stress is the UK's leading military charity
specialising in the care of Veterans' mental health. Many of the conditions
we treat are highly complex and long term in nature.

2. We celebrated our 90th anniversary on 12 May 2009 - and
have provided a vital lifeline to almost 100,000 ex-Service men and women
from every campaign that British Forces have been involved in since the First
World War.

3. We have a current caseload of more than 4,400 Veterans.
This includes 102 who have served in Afghanistan and 400 who served in Iraq.
The oldest Veteran receiving support from Combat Stress is 103 and the
youngest was just 19 when admitted.

4. The majority are ex-Army: 82.1%

5. On average, it takes over 14 years from Service discharge
for Veterans to make the first-step approach to Combat Stress for help, by
which time their condition is often chronic. In 2009, six of our new Veterans
had waited 50 years or more.

6. Other and co-existing mental health conditions include:
depression, alcohol and/or drug abuse, mood disorders, anxiety and phobic
disorders.

7. We provide a tailored treatment and care programme, based
on the psychological, social and welfare needs of the individual. Our bespoke
treatment plans range from brief therapy to chronic disease management.

8. Clinical treatment is delivered at our three short-stay
centres in Shropshire, Surrey and Ayrshire. They provide a range of therapies
within a unique, peer-group setting which provides a safe and familiar
environment for Veterans.

9. The MOD and Department of Health are working increasingly
closely with Combat Stress to ensure better treatment of Veterans with
psychological injuries. On 11 January 2010 Combat Stress signed a partnership
agreement with the MoD and the Department of Health, resulting in an
overarching investment of GBP350,000. This will help fund Combat Stress staff
to work directly with NHS mental health Trusts to ensure that the services
they provide are accessible to and appropriate for military Veterans.

10. Funds raised through The Enemy Within Appeal (launched on
11 March 2010) will put in place a national network of Community Outreach
Teams, to enable Veterans and their families to receive support and treatment
within their own communities, whilst continuing to provide short-stay
residential treatment in any one of the charity's three existing regional
treatment centres.

11. Each community outreach team will consist of a Regional
Welfare Officer, a Welfare Support Team member, a Clinical Psychiatric Nurse,
a Therapist and access to a regional psychiatrist/psychologist, all of which
will provide welfare support, primary assessment, on-going treatment and
group therapy, as well as vital support for the family too.

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