A charity that supports UK Forces veterans is encouraging healthcare professionals in primary and secondary care to prescribe the employment support it provides.

The Poppy Factory is hoping to generate more engagement from doctors following a positive evaluation of one of its employment programmes for ex-Forces patients. Between 2021 and 2022, nearly 200 ex-Forces patients were referred to the Poppy Factory’s employment service through the NHS, representing 35% of all referrals and regular assessments showed 64% reported increased health and wellbeing and 60% reported increased stability.

An NHS embedded pilot programme in Wirral, Merseyside, led by the University of Nottingham’s Institute of Mental Health, had a significant positive impact on veterans. Users described the Poppy Factory’s service as an opportunity for them to speak openly to someone who understands the differences between military culture and “civvy street”, as well as the barriers to employment they might face because of their health challenges.

The charity says doctors and other health professionals can refer directly eligible patients to its dedicated employment service, which is available across England and Wales.

A spokesperson said: “The role of meaningful employment in a patient’s recovery, even for those who may be really struggling, can be significant. The Poppy Factory’s specialist service was developed to overcome barriers to employment that can affect some veterans after they leave the Armed Forces and transition into civilian life.”

The Poppy Factory’s employment consultants work with ex-Forces personnel with mild, moderate and complex mental and physical health conditions and support unemployed veterans who are seeking employment and those who want to change careers. Where employment consultants are embedded in primary or secondary care services, it is funded by NHS England.

Following the pilot programme, the Institute of Mental Health backed the work, advising that the Poppy Factory’s service “should accept referrals from a wide range of sources including primary and secondary care, to ensure employment support can be used as an early intervention before health conditions escalate or can be used as part of a veteran’s recovery plan from more serious conditions”.