Armed Forces Veteran
We are officially accredited as an Armed Forces Veteran Friendly GP Practice
Being accredited by the Royal College of General Practitioners means that our practice can better identify and treat veterans, refer them, where appropriate, to dedicated NHS services such as the Veterans’ Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison service, the Veterans’ Mental Health Complex Treatment Service and the Veterans Trauma Network and capture better data to improve future health provision. It also means that the NHS is better able to meet the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant, which says the Armed Forces community, including veterans, should face no disadvantage in accessing health services and should receive priority care for military attributable conditions, subject to clinical need.
A veteran is someone who has served in the British Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve) for at least one day. Veterans also include any member of the Merchant Marine who has served in a war zone. This includes crew from convoys in World War 2 and more recently in the Falklands conflict and Gulf Wars.
About 18,000 service people move back into civilian life every year and whilst most of these individuals have similar levels of health to the general population, around 2,000 leave on medical grounds. The top reasons for medical discharge are for issues relating to back, knees, mental health and hearing.
How to get the most from your GP
It is important to register with a GP, rather than wait until you need treatment. Visit the NHS website at www.nhs.ukto find details of GP practices in your local area.
If you’ve recently left the forces, it is important to give your GP the paperwork that your military medical centre gave you, including any medical records. This will help to make sure your military health record transfers to your NHS health record. This will also give your GP information on your health and ensure that any ongoing care and treatment is continued.
Regardless of when you left the military, tell your GP that you’ve served in the UK Armed Forces. This will help your GP to better understand any military related health conditions that you may have and ensure that you are referred, where appropriate, to dedicated services for veterans.
This includes the specialist mental and physical health services, Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service and the Veterans Trauma Network.
When using these services, you will be able to speak to people who:
- understand the Armed Forces and military life
- are either from the Armed Forces community or highly experienced in working with serving personnel, reservists, veterans and their families
- will work with you to make sure you get the right type of specialist care, support, and treatment
- work closely with a range of organisations and charities, including military charities, to support your wider health and wellbeing needs
With your agreement, it can sometimes be helpful for your doctor to refer you to Armed Forces charities, such as SSAFA, the Royal British Legion, Combat Stress or Help for Heroes. They can often offer significant help and support, even if they do not all deliver healthcare.
You may be worried about sharing information about your time in the Armed Forces. Please note that the NHS is bound by a confidentiality code of practice to ensure GPs, nurses and other people working within the NHS deliver a confidential service bound by law.
OP Courage
If you’ve ever served in the UK Armed Forces, are struggling with your mental health and live in England, Op COURAGE are there to help. Op COURAGE is a dedicated NHS mental health service developed by veterans, for veterans.
Website: www.nhs.uk/opcourage
Our Commitment to you as a veteran of the UK Armed Forces
The NHS is here to help improve your health and wellbeing and keep you mentally and physically well. It is also here to help you get better when you are ill and, when you cannot fully recover, to stay as well as you can until the end of your life.
This means that you can expect the following from our practice:
We will ask all patients if they have served in the UK Armed Forces (as a regular or reservist). If you have, we will note this in your medical record, with your permission.
We will ask you to share details of your time in service to help us to assess the best support and treatment for you.
The information you share will be kept confidential and we will always speak to you before sharing this with other services you may be referred to.
You can make an appointment to see our clinical lead for veteran’s health. This person has a comprehensive understanding of the Armed Forces, health conditions linked to service, and the dedicated support you can access.
The NHS has a duty to support the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant. This means that you will get priority treatment for any medical condition which has been caused by your service, subject to the clinical needs of other patients.
We will let you know what choices are available for your care and treatment and help you to make informed decisions on what to do.
Where appropriate and with your consent, we can refer you to dedicated veterans’ health services.
If you need to be seen by another service, we will let them know you’re a veteran and make sure they have an understanding of your health and wellbeing needs, so you don’t have to keep repeating your ‘personal story’.
We can give advice and support to your loved ones who may be affected by your health conditions.
We will investigate any issues and complaints that you may have about your care. If you have any concerns about the services we offer, please speak to one of the practice team.
Further Information and Support
NHS – Healthcare for the armed forces community
The NHS can help if you’re in the British armed forces or are a veteran, a reservist or a family member of someone who is serving or who has served.
The Veterans’ Gateway – information and support for veterans and their families. Available 24/7 for help with housing, mental wellbeing, finances and more.
Help for Heroes is the leading Armed Forces and veterans’ charity in the UK. They understand the difficulties people face when starting a new life after leaving the military. Finding work, somewhere to live, a purpose, and a place in society, can feel overwhelming.
Combat Stress for Veterans’ Mental Health
Available 24/7, Combat Stress provide specialist treatment and support for veterans from every service and conflict, focusing on those with complex mental health issues related to their military service.