The Veteran-Friendly Accreditation for GP Practices is a scheme supported by the Royal College of General Practitioners, the Royal British Legion, and Combat Stress.
Veterans are sometimes reluctant to get help from clinicians due to concerns they won’t be understood, so this scheme helps to ensure GPs are delivering the best possible care and treatment to veterans who have served in the UK Armed Forces and their families.
Who counts as a veteran?
You are a veteran if you have served in the UK Armed Forces for at least 1 day, whether regular or reserve, which includes the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Royal Marines and Merchant Navy. It means the same as ‘ex-service personnel’. Non-mobilised reservists are also regarded as veterans. It doesn’t matter how long ago you served. The same services are offered to veterans’ families and carers.
What can we do to help?
Whilst many aspects of health needs are the same as for the general public, there are sometimes significant differences – particularly in relation to conditions attributable to service life, and their impact upon 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.
Our practice has knowledge of specialist NHS services designed specifically for members of the armed forces. For your reference, some of the services available are listed by the NHS Healthcare for the armed forces.
Do not worry about sharing information about your time in the armed forces. GPs, nurses and other people working in the NHS are bound by law to deliver a confidential service. Any referrals made will only be done with your agreement.
The Veterans’ Gateway
Veterans’ Gateway is for any ex-service personnel and their families looking for advice or support, 24 hours a day. It is the first point of contact to a network of military and non-military partner organisations to help veterans and their families find exactly what information, advice and support they need, when they need it. For more information visit the Veterans’ Gateway website or call 0808 802 1212
The first call for help takes courage. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health or wellbeing, expert help is available from
Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service.
If you’re due to leave the Armed Forces, just left the Armed Forces or left many years ago, Op COURAGE is here to help. 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.
The service can be contacted directly by yourself, or you can ask your GP, a charity or someone else, such as a family member or friend, to do this on your behalf.
What will happen when you contact Op COURAGE
To make sure you get the right care and support, you will first have an assessment by someone who understands the specific needs of the Armed Forces community.
The service offers a range of treatment, which includes:
- working with Defence Medical Services to make sure you get mental health care and support as you transition from the military to civilian life
- recognising the early signs of mental health problems and providing care and treatment for this
- therapeutic treatment for more advanced mental health conditions and psychological trauma
- intensive emergency care and treatment if you’re in a crisis
- helping you to access other NHS services if needed, such as psychological therapies (IAPT) services and eating disorder services
- working with charities and local organisations to support you with your wider health and wellbeing needs, such as housing, relationships, finances, employment, drug and alcohol misuse and social support.
