Both the GP partner and Managing Partner served in the Royal Army Medical Corps, including active service in several Middle East countries. We recognise the unique circumstances and the special dedication required to serve in the Armed Forces. This can place a significant strain on soldiers, sailors, airmen and their families. Not all service leavers are mad, bad or sad, but there are much higher rates of mental health or alcohol problems amongst veterans as well as injuries received during service. We also know that many ex-forces personnel are reluctant to seek help or find it difficult to find health service workers who can empathise and relate to their unique experiences.
We feel it is important that veterans are able to choose a GP practice where they can be understood and helped by staff with specific awareness of service-leavers' health needs. We worked on developing the concept of a veterans' health kitemark to identify practices where there had been specific awareness and training around veterans' health. The Royal College of General Practitioners, NHS England and the Ministry of Defence, have taken and developed our concept and we are pleased to see that 355 practices have signed up to the scheme so far (as of Sept 19).
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. This service is supported by trained professionals who are from, or have experience of working with, the Armed Forces community. Patients can refer themselves, through a friend, charity or by a GP.
Op FORTITUDE can be accessed by homeless veterans including those sleeping on the streets. The housing hotline, delivered by The Riverside Group, will give homeless veterans a single point of contact to get them the help they need. Veterans can access the scheme through a dedicated charity helpline (0800 9520774).
Op NOVA provides emotional and practical support to veterans at all points of the justice system in England, including pre-arrest, arrest, post-arrest and those serving a custodial sentence. The prime objective is to provide a single support pathway for veterans to move away from the justice system. Veterans are supported on an individual basis, empowering them to engage and access specialist support services. Op NOVA receives referrals from the Police, the NHS Liaison and Diversion teams, the Prison and Probation service and NHS Reconnect (for veterans before they leave prison). Op NOVA is open 8am - 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am - 2pm Saturday, their freephone contact number is 0800 9177299.
Op RESTORE is an NHS service that supports individuals who have served in, or are leaving the UK Armed Forces, and have continuing physical health injuries and related medical problems attributed to their time in the Armed Forces. Referrals need to come from the veteran’s GP.
Op STERLING is a working in partnership with Fighting With Pride, and Age UK delivering a programme to help older LGBT+ veterans, service personnel and their families. The Operation Sterling programme provides telephone-based support, advice and casework to older LGBT+ veterans through Age UK’s Advice Line. The existing expertise of Age UK’s Advice Line advisors and the knowledge that Fighting With Pride has about how best to support the well-being of LGBT+ veterans means that Operation Sterling can support older LGBT+ veterans in many ways. Access to support is via an online enquiry form.
The Armed Forces Covenant aims to prevent Veterans and service families from being disadvantaged by service life, for example having to wait for a new consultant appointment each time someone is posted to a new area. Veterans may also be entitled to priority treatment for some conditions. Please help us to help you by letting us know if you are a veteran or a family member of a veteran/service personnel.
King Edward VII's Hospital offer a free, evidence-based, pain management programme adapted to meet the specific needs of the veteran population. Visit their website for further information on the programme and how to apply.
Togetherall - free mental health support for all UK Military Veterans and their family members
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen Families Associaion (SSAFA)
British Army Welfare and Support
British Limbless Ex-servicemens Association