We are fortunate to have been successful to be registered as a Military Veteran Friendly Practice which is a great honour. Please see information below about what this means.
Dr Stuart Rodger is our GP lead on this – both at Davenal House and Stoke Prior Surgery. We recommend that when you register with the surgery, that you tell us that you are a military veteran so that we can ensure that we ask for your old military medical records and we can ensure that your NHS GP records have this noted on them.
Armed Forces Veteran Friendly Accreditation – FAQs
What is a veteran?
A veteran is anyone who has served for at least one day in the Armed Forces, whether regular or reserve. It means the same as ‘ex service personnel’.
Whilst many aspects of health need are the same as the general public, there are sometimes significant differences, particularly in relation to conditions attributable to service life and the 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.
What is the Armed Forces Covenant?
The Armed Forces Covenant sets the following goals with respect to healthcare:
- Members of the Armed Forces community should enjoy the same standard of, and access to, healthcare as received by any other UK citizen in the area where they live
- Personnel injured on operations should be treated in conditions which recognise the specific needs of Service personnel
- Family members should retain their relative position on any NHS waiting list, if moved around the UK due to the Service person being posted
- Veterans should receive priority treatment (subject to the clinical needs of others) in respect of NHS secondary healthcare relating to a condition resulting from their service in the Armed Forces
- Veterans should be able to access mental health professionals who have an understanding of the Armed Forces culture.
This is reflected in the NHS Constitution, which states ‘the NHS will ensure that in line with the Armed Forces Covenant, those in the Armed Forces, reservists, their families and veterans are not disadvantaged in accessing health services in the area they reside’.
The Covenant is an important aspect of our approach to care, especially as the Armed Forces community can be at a disadvantage due to their mobility, and frequent moves etc.
What dedicated NHS services are available to veterans?
Op Courage
Op COURAGE can help you and your family with a range of support and treatment, including:
- helping you transition from military to civilian life by providing mental health care with Defence Medical Services (DMS)
- helping you recognise and treat early signs of mental health problems, as well as more advanced mental health conditions and psychological trauma
- providing support and treatment for substance misuse and addictions
- helping you to access other NHS mental health services if you need them, such as finding an NHS talking therapies service and eating disorder services
- liaising with charities and local organisations to support your wider health and wellbeing needs, such as help with housing, relationships, finances and employment
- supporting armed forces families affected by mental health problems, including helping them to access local services
Military veterans can self refer to Op Courage or we can do it for you. Details are at:
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-community/mental-health/veterans-reservists/
Op Restore
If you have a physical health injury and related medical problems attributable to your time in Service, Op RESTORE can help by:
- ensuring you can access the right care and support
- making sure you are treated by people who understand the military and specialise in the type of physical injury and related medical problems you may have
- putting together a care plan with you shaped around your specific physical care needs
- working with Op COURAGE should you need support for your mental health and wellbeing
- supporting you and your family access additional help where needed from Armed Forces charities whom we work in partnership with.
You will need a GP to refer you Op Restore.
Details are at:
https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/our-services/op-restore
Op Nova
Op NOVA, delivered by the Forces Employment Charity and commissioned by NHS England, provides support for veterans who are in contact with the justice system, enabling them to access the services they need.
Op NOVA’s specialist team is drawn from those who have served in the Armed Forces, as well as partners, children and parents of those who serve or have served. Other members of the team have worked in the police, probation, prisons or charity sector. Our team is trained in Information Advice and Guidance, Level 4, and Mental Health First Aid.
Op NOVA works across all needs and delivers practical and emotional support. It works to engage veterans in healthcare including registration with GPs and, for those with mental health needs, referrals into the NHS’s specialist veterans mental health provision – Op COURAGE.
Details are at:
