Veteran Friendly GP Practice
The veteran friendly GP practice accreditation is a programme run by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and NHS England to recognise and support practices in delivering the best possible care and treatment for patients who have served in the armed forces.
Being a Veteran Friendly Accredited practice means we recognise the importance of delivering tailored care for veteran patients and their families within our community. We understand the unique health needs that veterans have and we will always continue to strive to provide the very best care and support. Our designated Practice Lead is Dr Jane Eccles.
Top Tips
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.uk to 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.
How to notify us that you are a Veteran?
If you would like to let us know that you are a veteran – please contact us via the non-urgent medical query option on our website.
You can also inform any of the clinicians or Practice staff when you access or services.
If you would like to register with our Practice as a new patient, please visit our registration page, and mark on the registration form that you are a Veteran.
Out of hours support
If you require specialist support, or would like to talk to someone outside of the practice, please see the out of hour services available to you. To find out more visit:
Op COURAGE: Op COURAGE is an NHS mental health specialist service designed to help serving personnel due to leave the military, reservists, armed forces veterans and their families. www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-and-veterans-healthcare/veterans-nhs-mental-health-services
Veterans Trauma Network: The Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service is an NHS service that provides specialist care and treatment to veterans who have physical health problems as a result of their time in the Armed Forces. www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-and-veterans-healthcare/veterans-nhs-mental-health-services
Veteran’s Gateway: We are the first point of contact for you and your loved ones. Contact us 24/7 for help across housing, mental wellbeing, finances and more. www.veteransgateway.org.uk