The Family Connecting Aussie Veterans to Healthcare

This week is Veteran Health Week – and one person doing his part for both the physical and mental health of veterans is Tom Bailey. Tom is the founder of Veteran Benefits Australia, which has connected over 20,000 Australian veterans to the healthcare services they need.

Tom started Veteran Benefits Australia following the suicide of his close friends.

“I was looking for ways to get involved in…mental health initiatives in the community,” Tom hold Hope Drive.

“[Not only] as a way to give back, but also as a coping mechanism for myself.”

Veteran Affairs Australia is a platform which aims to connect veterans to the different healthcare services and programs that are offered by the Department of Veteran Affairs. And even though there are many support services available, many veterans don’t know they exist.

“It’s really an information problem. We need to educate [veterans] on why they need these services and how they will benefit them,” Tom said.

“But there’s also a big disconnect with veterans of what they can access. So it’s about spreading the awareness of these services and how they can help them.”

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Veteran Benefits Australia partners with allied health services nationwide – including physiotherapy, exercise physiology, psychology and nutrition – providing quality healthcare to veterans all around the country, including via telehealth.

“We’ve got a tailored approach. A nurse will jump on a call with you, help you with a care plan and then connect you with the services that are relevant to you.”

Although Tom is the founder of Veteran Benefits Australia, his whole family is involved. His mum – a nurse – oversees the patient care team, his sister – a GP – helps with the veteran care plans and his brother works behind the scenes on the digital aspects of the business.

“We’re all pretty passionate about it,” Tom said.

Listen to Tom’s full interview on Hope Drive in the player above.

To find out more about Veteran Benefits Australia, visit their website.