The Health and Wellbeing of Armed Forces Veterans in Northern Ireland: A Feasibility Study on Accessing Data for Research Purposes on Veterans in Northern Ireland

Abstract: A Feasibility Study on Accessing Data for Research Purposes on Veterans in Northern Ireland is the fifth in a series of reports from the Northern Ireland Veterans’ Health and Wellbeing Study (NIVHWS). The initial aim of this piece of work was to estimate the size and the basic demographic profile of the veteran population in Northern Ireland (NI), including their approximate location in the region, using a self-identification survey and administrative data shared by organisations that work with NI veterans. However, during the NIVHWS, it became clear that accessing data on NI veterans was not a straightforward process. This study was therefore re-designed to become a feasibility study on accessing data on NI veterans for research purposes. Presented here are three case studies and three corresponding interviews outlining our experiences and the experiences of data custodians in our efforts to access anonymous data on NI veteransfor research purposes. The organisations were based in the charitable sector (Combat Stress [CS] and The Royal British Legion [TRBL]), and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) through Veterans UK, a MoD organisation and part of Defence Business Services (DBS) whose primary aim is to provide support to Armed Forces personnel, veterans, and their families, particularly in relation to pensions and compensation through their Veterans Welfare Service.