Mcconnell to Re-examine Iraq Veterans’ Charity Funding
Thu., December 02, 2004. 21:33.
First Minister to reconsider funding for combat stress centre.
Greens secure pledge to consider plight of unique combat stress unit
Greens today welcomed the First Minister’s pledge to re-examine funding for Scotland’s only centre for “combat stress” following a challenge from Greens co-convener Robin Harper in First Minister Questions. (1)
The charity Combat Stress has one centre in Scotland for soldiers suffering from combat trauma and stress, Hollybush House in Ayr. The centre faces an increasing demand on services as troops return from Iraq. Currently operating at a loss, it needs to raise £1 million for essential work to comply with government regulations. (2)
Staff have already seen an increase in demand for services due to the war in Iraq – and are anticipating more in the coming months and years. Funds are desperately required to secure the required refurbishment and meet the needs of those returning from Iraq – but the Executive has awarded the charity only £54,000 over next three years.
Robin Harper, Green co-convener, challenged McConnell during First Ministers Questions today, to commit to providing more funds for the new accommodation as a sign of support for the welfare of Iraq troops.
Harper said, “The current lack of support for troops returning from Iraq is a betrayal of those who have risked their lives in an illegal and unjust war. £54,000 over three years is a pitiful amount. Is that all our troops are worth? Is that the price the Executive puts on their wellbeing? I hope that after consideration Mr McConnell pledges a considerable sum towards this crucial centre.
“So far, Jack McConnell has supported Blair’s reckless war in Iraq. Ministers must now accept responsibility for the damage to people's lives – Greens will continue to campaign on this until that happens."
Chris Ballance, Green MSP for South of Scotland, said, “I have visited the centre myself and was highly impressed by the quality of care and service provided. As a country we are willing to spend million of pounds every year on arms. It is surely not too much to ask that the Executive finds more money to ensure that those soldiers who have suffered serious trauma as a result of military service, are given the care they need and deserve.”
For further information call the Green MSP press office on 0131 348 6360/0771 761 8771.
Notes for Editors.
1. Chris Ballance, South of Scotland Green MSP, has already written to Executive twice to press for further funds, and is now calling on cross-party support.
Hollybush House receives referrals from the NHS and directly. NHS referrals are paid for by the NHS through health board budgets. Funds are also awarded by veterans’ charities, and raised through appeals. Through the National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Well-being, the Executive is providing £54,000. There is no other Executive funding. It costs £180 a day to treat a patient.
Ex-servicemen currently stay in shared dormitory rooms, typically four beds to a room, which is not allowed under the Regulation of Care Act above, and is also not appropriate given the problems the patients experience. The Charity’s appeal for new accommodation (without which it will close) was launched in April 2004 by former BBC war correspondent Kate Adie.
Motion lodged in the Scottish Parliament: S2M-2019# Chris Ballance: Hollybush House Appeal—That the Parliament considers that the Scottish Executive should support the mental health charity Combat Stress’s funding appeal for new accommodation in Hollybush House, Ayr, Scotland’s only centre for combat-related stress, in order to meet the requirements of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001; notes that current Executive funding is only £54,000 over the next three years, and believes that increased funding should be allocated as a mark of support and respect for Scottish troops in active service, in recognition of the anticipated increase in demand for mental health services amongst servicemen and women as a result of the current conflict and in order to demonstrate that the First Minister’s support for Scottish troops is more than just words.
More on the Hollybush Appeal: http://www.combatstress.org.uk/welfare/hollybush-appeal.asp
2. The Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 stipulates physical standards for care homes. These standards must be met by 2007. The £54,000 from the Executive breaks down as £20,000 in 2004/05, £18,000 in 2005/06, and £16,000 in 2006/07.
Contact the Scottish Greens' press team on 07909 933 074.