Armed Forces Veteran Friendly Accredited GP Practice

What is a veteran?

A veteran is anyone who has served for at least one day in the Armed Forces, whether as a regular or reservist. It means the same as ‘ex service personnel’ or ‘ex-forces’, although not all veterans know the term or choose to associate with the term ‘veteran’. Younger veterans might refer to themselves as ‘ex-forces’, in the belief that a veteran is someone who fought in the First / Second World War.

What does the Veteran Friendly Accreditation mean?

As a Veteran Friendly Accredited practice, our team: 

  • – Recognises the importance of identifying veteran patients within our community
  • – Understands the unique health needs that veterans may have
  • – Strives to provide veterans with the very best care and support 
  • – Knows about the specialist veteran healthcare services that exist 
  • – Undertakes regular training and development to ensure we’re able to deliver the very best care to veterans in our community and meet the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant

If you’re a Veteran patient, please do let us know that you have served so that we can make sure you receive the most appropriate and best care, if and when you ever need it.

What is the RCGP advice on veteran’s health?

Whilst many aspects of the health needs of veterans are the same as for the general public, there are sometimes significant differences, particularly in relation to conditions attributable to service life and the associated impact for individuals and their families. These differences can be reflected in the way in which healthcare is delivered, the range and types of some specific services provided and the long-term impact upon patients and families.

Support services available:

OP Courage – www.nhs.uk/opcourage

This is an NHS specialist mental health service designed to help Serving Personnel, on leave Military, Reservists, Armed Forces, Veterans and their families.

Veterans Gateway – www.veteransgateway.org.uk

Contact 24/7 for help across housing, mental well-being, finances and more.

Veterans Trauma Network (VTN) – [email protected]

Physical care pathway for service attributed problems.

Combat stress – www.combatstress.org.uk/

Help for Heroes – www.helpforheroes.org.uk/

Cobseo – www.cobseo.org.uk/

Royal British Legion – www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/things-to-do/membership/become-a-member

Blesma – www.blesma.org/