The Government has announced a new £5 million innovation fund for veterans’ healthcare.
Launched on the 18th of July, the fund will provide veterans with innovative healthcare treatments, including virtual reality, artificial intelligence and engineering.
The funding will support charities and organisations who are looking into researching and trialing new health technologies that could help veterans with complex healthcare needs.
The fund is open for bids until the 31st of August 2022.
Johnny Mercer, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs said: “Our military veterans deserve the very best physical and mental healthcare available. That’s why it is right that we invest cash in exploring how the latest innovation and technology can be used to help deliver that.
“I want to make the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran.That means ensuring we do all we can to help ensure better health and employment outcomes for those who have sacrificed so much on our behalf.”
Veterans often battle issues such as mental health disorders, substance use disorders, post-traumatic stress, and traumatic brain injury at disproportionate rates compared to civilians.
A spokesperson for the Royal British Legion said: “We welcome any commitment to improving veterans’ healthcare. The RBL worked with the Government to provide specialist hearing aids and equipment through The Veteran’s Hearing Fund, helping over 3000 veterans.
“This is just one example of how the charity has supported innovation to help improve the lives of those who have served. The RBL supports any initiative which will ensure future advances in care and treatment can provide a range of transformative benefits to the armed forced community.”
The Ministry of Defence has estimated there are two million UK armed forces veterans residing in Great Britain in 2022. This number is predicted to fall to 1.6 million by 2028.
