Armed Forces Friendly

We are officially accredited as an Armed Forces Veteran Friendly GP practice!

Being accredited by the Royal College of General Practitioners means that a practice can better identify and treat veterans, refer them, where appropriate, to dedicated NHS services (such as the Veterans’ Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison service (TILS), the Veterans’ Mental Health Complex Treatment Service (CTS) and the Veterans Trauma Network) and capture better data to improve future health provision. It also means that the NHS is better able to meet the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant, which says the Armed Forces community, including veterans, should face no disadvantage in accessing health services and should receive priority care for military attributable conditions, subject to clinical need.

A veteran is someone who has served in the Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve) for at least one day. Veterans also include any member of the Merchant Marine who has served in a war zone. This includes crew from convoys in World War 2 and more recently in the Falklands conflict and Gulf Wars.

About 18,000 service people move back into civilian life every year and whilst most of these individuals have similar levels of health to the general population, around 2,000 leave on medical grounds. The top reasons for medical discharge are for issues relating to back, knees, mental health and hearing.

See the signs - Seek support - Stop the cycle

Fear Free is offering support for service personnel and veterans who want to change abusive behaviours.

The free course they offer will help you change these behaviours, you'll be expected to attend one session a week as part of a group or individually. Your partner, children and anyone else affected by the abuse will also be offered one to one support.

About the course:

-Does not take place at your military base.

-Is non judgemental.

-Is open to all ranks.

-Is confidential.

You can find a self referral form here.