Work with partners identifies three areas of specialist interest within our Services Health Academic Theme. These projects show potential to hugely improve the health and wellbeing of our armed services communities, with potential for national and international reach.
The Wessex region has one of the largest population of veterans and active military personal in the country. Whilst there is significant research and understanding in trauma and PTSD in military personnel, other areas impacting health have been less well researched.
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Ashleigh Boreham, Deputy Director Partnerships, Research and Innovation for NHS Dorset, raised the urgent need for researchers to collaborate in the region to drive forward better understanding, treatments, interventions and specialist support.
“Within Dorset, around 112,000 people are termed as armed forces community – either they’re serving, veterans, or they’re dependents," he said. "This represents nearly 12.5% of our population, so it’s a really important and significant community.
“We’re not saying this group is any less healthy than any other group, but we need to better understand what that lived experience is like for an armed forces person, or wider members of this community, and whether their occupation has impacted on their health and wellbeing. That way, we can create positive interventions.”
In this video, Ash explains more.
From the workshops convened by Wessex Health Partners, the following projects are emerging:
Mental Health and Gambling
Investigating gambling activities and gambling-related harms among current and/or former military personnel.
Professor Sam Chamberlain, University of Southampton, will lead this area. “Veterans and their families are at higher risk of experiencing gambling-related harms, compared to people who are not from a military background,” he said. “We'd like to work with veterans and their families affected by gambling-related harms, to better understand the impact on their lives, and what can be done to help. "
Physical Health and Dementia
Exploring initiatives on dementia and PTSD, focusing on improving acute care management and reducing brain injuries in service personnel through innovative devices or headwear.
Associate Professor Michele Board, of Bournemouth University, will lead this area. She said: “Research suggests that military personnel and veterans are at higher risk of developing dementia due their increased exposure to potential risk factors, such traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder”.
To date, little research has been undertaken to explore the needs of this population. This project will aim to find out more about the experiences of veterans with dementia and their support needs.
“By working collaboratively with veterans and stakeholders,” she said, “we aim to raise awareness for this community, working together to identify their unique experiences, challenges, and priority areas for future research.”
Michele’s team are currently seeking the views of veterans on the barriers to accessing dementia support via a short survey. Interested in taking part? You can complete the survey by clicking here.
Domestic Violence and Commonwealth Families
Gaining insights into the experiences of non-UK spouses of service personnel facing domestic violence, identifying their support needs, and addressing barriers to assistance.
Professor Lee-Ann Fenge, Bournemouth University, will lead this work. She said: “Recent research has highlighted domestic abuse as a significant issue for the UK Armed Forces, with higher incidences of prevalence than the wider civilian population, a concern for both active duty personnel and service veterans.
“Despite the long history of Commonwealth soldiers within the British army, there is a paucity of research considering the experiences of veterans and their families and there is no research which specifically considers the experiences and support needs of families of Commonwealth soldiers and veterans with regards to domestic abuse.”
The study team includes Dr Michelle Myall from Southampton University and Patricia Mazarura from Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch Council.
The groups will work independently to further develop the proposals with support from the WHP core team as appropriate.
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