HERO veterans living with injuries from explosions in warzones will be fast-tracked for health help under new plans.
Brits living in chronic pain after serving the country for years will be able to get extra aid to stop them living out their retirement in pain.
Veterans will get access to a new chronic pain service to get them help quicker
Back, knee and joint pains are the most common long-term injuries from former forces.
Vets will be able to get signposted to quicker help through their GPs under the new scheme, set to be revealed by Cabinet minister Johnny Mercer at the end of next month.
It comes as ministers today announce £5million extra to fund 22 new projects for ex-squaddies to help swanky new research.
High-tech electric plasters which use biomaterial to heal wounds quicker, and new AI technology from blood and saliva to treat brain injuries could be available on the NHS in future.
Cash will go to projects from Imperial College London to develop state-of-the-art prosthetics, and innovative implants to treat limb pain.
Veterans minister Mr Mercer told HOAR: “People survived in Afghanistan who would not have survived previous conflicts, and require more help going forward.
“We want people to be able to access these services directly, irrespective of their background, right across the country.”
And he hopes Britain’s world leading research can one day help Ukrainian veterans to recover after the war against Russia is over too.
Ahead of the first anniversary of the barbaric invasion, he added: “We want to be world leaders in recover when it comes to our veterans and working to impart what we’ve learned to Ukraine and do whatever we can to assist them in the recovery of their personnel.
“All the Five Eyes nations have learned so much about recovery after Afghanistan and Iraq – and we’re very keen as part of the effort to support Ukraine, we lean into that too.
“We stand ready to assist them in any way we can.”
Ministers also announced the UK will host a Five Eyes International Ministerial Conference on Veterans later this year to spread our expertise with the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
