In the UK, a veteran is defined as anyone who has served for at least one day in HM Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve) or Merchant Seafarers who worked alongside Service personnel in legally defined conflict situations.
The Military Covenant is a pact between society and military personnel that means they (and their immediate families) should not be disadvantaged by their service and the NHS needs to put in place measures to ensure this does not happen. At Hindon Surgery we do this by:
identifying veterans by asking you when you register and also during other surgery contacts and adding this information to your notes
having a practice lead GP with the knowledge and experience to understand a military background (Dr Craig-McFeely was in the Royal Navy for nine years serving at sea, in the UK and abroad with the army in Germany and all three forces in Gibraltar). Members of the practice staff have lived in a service environment.
identifying veterans when referring for care elsewhere – using this standard wording on the referral letter: “As this patient is a military veteran and his (or her) current condition may be related to military service, this referral should be considered for priority treatment under the rules set out in the Commissioning Board Mandate and Armed Forces Covenant." Priority treatment is for conditions related to military service.
having a list of support organisations that can be used by veterans and serving personnel
Support Organisations
Armed Forces Covenant: Guidance and Support
British Army: Welfare and support
Confederation of Service Charities (COBSEO)
Domestic Abuse: Guidance and Support for the Armed Forces Community
Lip reading and managing hearing loss
The Veterans' Transition Review by Lord Ashcroft
Royal British Legion: Lost Voices
NHS Choices: NHS Healthcare for Veterans
NHS Choices: Healthcare for the Armed Forces Community
NHS Choices: Mental Health for Veterans
NHS England: Services for members of the Armed Forces
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen Families Association (SSAFA Forces Help)
Supporting the health and wellbeing of Military families
NHS Choices: Veterans’ prosthetics programme
UK Armed Forces Families' Strategy 2016-2020
More can be found in the COBSEO Directory.
Services for Women