With British troops currently active in many areas around the world, complex injury and rehabilitation after discharge from the military is a topical issue. Increasing medical knowledge in the field, developing medical technologies and highly-skilled medical professionals means that fewer members of the military forces are losing their lives in the line of duty. However many more are returning to Britain with complex injuries, including amputation, brain injury and spinal injury.
For some individuals, returning to military service is not possible due to the nature and/or severity of their injuries. Brain injuries in particular can require long-term support from a number of disciplines, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, creative expressive therapies, clinical psychology and neuropsychology. For example, an individual who has suffered a brain injury may have neuromuscular damage requiring physio input, but also reduced cognitive abilities that may need to be addressed by ongoing speech and language therapy and occupational therapy, to ensure that the individual can be as independent as possible in their day-to-day life.
Some military personnel may also develop psychological injury such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) following their experiences, which can be supported by psychologies and creative expressive therapies. Most individuals also require support coming to terms with their discharge from the military, and accepting that their life will be moving in a different direction. Following discharge from the military, these services can be more difficult to access in the community, particularly in areas that have high waiting lists for adults with neurodisability. Voluntary groups such as Headway can provide social support, advice and some practical support, but the literature demonstrates that the best support comes from a multi or inter-disciplinary team of professionals.
If you feel that a relative or friend may benefit from multidisciplinary support in the community, Integrated Treatment Services could be of help. Contact us here: https://integratedtreatmentservices.co.uk/contact-us/enquiry
Further Information
War’s Medical Advances – http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Militarymedicine/Pages/Medicaladvances.aspx
Sarah Bennington, September 2011
Written on behalf of Integrated Treatment Services. Integrated Treatment Services specialises in providing highly-skilled Speech and Language Therapists, but also associates with other therapeutic professionals, including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists and Arts Therapists.
