Mental health among soldiers to be tackled

The Welsh Assembly government is to provide funding to extend a pilot project which supports members of the armed forces who are suffering from mental health problems.

Having already been trialled in the Cardiff & Vale and Cwm Taf health board areas, the scheme is now to be rolled out across the whole of Wales thanks to £485,000 a year funding.

The investment will help provide clinicians with expertise in mental health issues to servicemen and women who need the treatment and has been welcomed by veterans such as Simon Weston.

Health minister Edwina Hart said: "I am determined to improve the care for people who have experienced health problems as a result of their military service. We owe them a debt of gratitude and have a duty of care to them."

A pilot scheme called Jobs First which will support people with learning disabilities to find paid work is also being rolled out across the UK, the Department of Health recently announced.