Community Veterans Mental Health Service

Community Veterans Mental Health Therapist

Neil J. Kitchiner is the Veterans Mental Health Therapist seconded from the Cardiff & Vale University Local Health Board, Departments of Liaison Psychiatry & Traumatic Stress Service to this two year pilot.  He will be responsible for the day to day running of the service, including assessment, signposting, offering brief psychological therapy, & follow-up appointments.    

Consultant Psychiatrists

Dr Jonathan Bisson is a Clinical Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist. He has extensive experience of both Military Psychiatry and Traumatic Stress Disorders both as a clinician and researcher. He will be involved in the assessment and management of veterans and offer support and supervision to the Community Veterans Mental Health Therapist.

Dr Martin Andrew is a Consultant in Old Age Psychiatry & General Adult Psychiatry.  He has been running an out-patient clinic in the Department of Traumatic Stress Service, since April 2007, he has a special interest in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  He has been a co-author for the Cochrane Review entitled: "Psychological treatments in PTSD" and has been active within the Veterans mental health pilot since June 2008. 

Clerical Support

Debbie Hartshorne is the Veterans Mental Health Service secretary and is responsible for accepting referrals, confirming their assessment, and maintaining the veterans data base.  She will provide the first point of contact into the service and provide information as required to both veterans and other agencies.  Debbie will also maintain regular contact with all veterans referred.