Hospital is modernised for today’s Chelsea pensioners
THE HOME of the Chelsea Pensioners is being modernised to care for traumatised veterans of modern warfare.
The Royal Hospital Chelsea has been caring for retired army veterans since 1692 and has ensuite rooms with an infirmary, dementia wards and a hospice, mainly targeted at older patients.
But the fallout from modern conflicts means it is expecting different demands from a new generation of former soldiers.
More than 300 troops lost limbs in Iraq and Afghanistan between 2001 and 2019, while almost 120,000 service personnel have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, according to government figures.
The west London hospital’s governor, General Sir Adrian Bradshaw, said: “The defining, lasting problems that came out of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts were limb loss and mental health injuries and I feel the hospital must adapt because in a decade’s time those folks will be coming here.
“We want this place to be much better at accommodating limbless veterans so we intend to convert accommodation to their individual specifications.
“We’ve modernised significantly in recent years but we need to keep pace with the times.”
The hospital’s six-year strategy includes converting the Grade 1 listed Soane Stable block into a visitor centre – with a direct link into the neighbouring National Army Museum, where a section will be dedicated to support visiting veterans with a range of health and wellbeing needs, including mental health issues.
It has also commissioned research to determine how best it can collaborate with existing mental health services.
General Sir Adrian added: “We believe the shared experiences of soldiering can assist veterans.
“If you’re struggling with a problem that has been caused by tough times in somewhere such as Helmand in Afghanistan, it can be difficult to explain and get people to understand.
“But if you talk to an inpensioner here who was on the beaches at Normandy or fought in Korea, they know something of what you have been through and can offer support.”
The hospital needs to raise money to create the new visitor centre and has launched an appeal. ● To support the Royal Hospital Chelsea you can email appeal@ chelsea-pensioners.org.uk or call 0207 8815243