Siobhan Baillie MP discusses the latest news

WHEN the veterans’ minister came to Dursley to meet ex-service personnel several local issues were raised, including whether the armed forces covenant is being implemented locally.

In broad terms, the covenant is the nation’s promise to ensure those who serve or who have served, and their families, are treated fairly.

More than 10,000 organisations have signed it including councils and retailers like John Lewis.

This week, I am holding a meeting of several veterans’ group representatives and armed forces champions. We will decide on a list of issues to tackle and I think one is the lack of GPs surgeries in Gloucestershire signed up to the covenant.

The minister told me that the national average sign up is over 60% but in Gloucestershire only around 33% of GP surgeries are signed up and accredited.

I know how busy and stretched our GPs are so I imagine the low take up is not through dismissing the issue but more likely lack of awareness or bandwidth.

A Gloucester veteran, who is a former gunner - like the minister - has been tasked with encouraging GP sign up across the county.

He has recently sent information to all practices recently via the local Integrated Care Board (ICB) that is supportive of the scheme. He has had some responses and he believes the sign up rate will increase.

Some of the stories from veterans about how they are treated by various public services is upsetting.

Many feel really at sea when they come out of the forces into civvy street as they are used to a much more structured and unique environment of living and working.

I’ve really struggled myself to help some veterans with complex cases and find the right support. My own brother is now a veteran.

Every November, thousands of people in our towns and villages turn out to remember our serving men and women and those we have lost through the annual Poppy Appeal.

I love this show of commitment. But I also think our services can do better all year round and I’ll do as much as I can to ensure that happens for those who have given so much to our country.