We are an Armed Forces veteran friendly accredited GP practice.
This means that, as part of the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant, we have a dedicated clinician (Dr Meeta Duggal) who has specialist knowledge of military related health conditions and veteran specific health services. This is important in helping individuals who have served in the Armed Forces get the care and treatment that is right for them.
Overview
NHS healthcare services work differently from healthcare you receive in the military.
Serving personnel and mobilised reservists are usually cared for by Defence Medical Services (DMS) and veterans and non-mobilised reservists will usually get treatment through the NHS.
GP surgeries are usually the first point of contact if you have a health problem. You will need to book an appointment to see a GP. You will not usually be able to see a GP straight away, although emergency appointments for urgent medical problems are usually seen within a day. At Fernville, you will need to complete an online form to request an appointment and the duty doctor will advise you of the most appropriate action.
Priority treatment for veterans
If you have a health problem caused by your time in the armed forces, you will usually go on a waiting list before you receive care. However, you may be able to receive NHS care quicker than normal through priority treatment for veterans.
Priority treatment is not guaranteed. Receiving priority treatment depends on your situation and the nature of the treatment required. This includes:
- if other people have a higher clinical need than you
- the urgency of your treatment
- the type of treatment you need
Patient Charter
- We will ask all patients if they have served in the UK Armed Forces (as a regular or reservist). If you have, we will note this in your medical record, with your permission.
- Where relevant to your health, we may ask you to share details of your time in service to help asses the best support and treatment for you.
- The information you share will be kept confidential and we will always speak to you before sharing this with other services you may be referred to.
- You can request to make an appointment to see our clinical lead for veteran’s health. This person has a comprehensive understanding of the Armed Forces, health conditions linked to service, and the dedicated support you can access.
- The NHS has a duty to support the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant. This means that you will get priority treatment for any medical condition which has been caused by your service, subject to the clinical needs of other patients.
- We will let you know what choices are available for your care and treatment and help you to make informed decisions on what to do.
- Where appropriate and with your consent, we can refer you to dedicated veterans health services.
- If you need to be seen by another service, we will let them know you’re a veteran and make sure they have an understanding of your health and wellbeing needs, so you don’t have to keep repeating your ‘personal story’.
- We can give advice and support to your loved ones who may be affected by your health conditions.
- We will investigate any issues and complaints that you may have about your care. If you have any questions about the services we offer, please speak to one of the practice team.
Patient Tip Tips
- It is important to always be registered with a GP, rather than wait until you need treatment. If you move to a different area, you will need to reregister with a local practice each time. Details of local practices can be found on the NHS website at www.nhs.uk.
- If you’ve recently left the UK Armed 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 you may have and ensure you are referred, where appropriate, to dedicated services for veterans. This includes specialist mental and physical health services: Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service.
- Op RESTORE: The Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service.
- 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.
Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service
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.
Asking for help is not a weakness. 24/7 Veterans emotional support line: 0300 323 0139
Need urgent help?
To speak a professional for urgent health and care advice:
– Call NHS 111 (24 hours)
– 999 if your life is in danger
– Go to A&E in an emergency
Remember to tell whoever you speak to, that you or the person you are calling about, has served in the UK armed forces so they can give you the right information.
Combat Stress
If you need to talk to someone, Combat Stress has a dedicated mental health support helpline for veterans and their families.
This provides confidential advice and support and is free to call for veterans, family members and carers.
The helpline number is 0800 138 1619, and it’s available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Togetherall
Togetherall is a mental health support service that provides:
- anonymous, round-the-clock online support with trained counsellors
- a supportive community, including forums for safe conversation
- free resources to help you improve your mental health
All armed forces serving personnel, reservists, veterans and their families can access these services at any time.
Op RESTORE: The Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service
Op RESTORE: The Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service is an NHS service providing specialist care and treatment to veterans who have physical health problems as a result of their time in the armed forces.
A GP can refer you to Op RESTORE by emailing imperial.oprestore@nhs.net and you can be referred even if you were not medically discharged.
Op RESTORE can support you by:
- providing personalised treatment within the NHS
- treating you through military and civilian clinicians who understand the military environment and specialise in the type of physical health problems you have
- helping families and carers of veterans with physical health problems access appropriate support services
- working closely with many organisations, including GP surgeries, specialist NHS services, and military and non-military charities
Op NOVA: Forces Employment Charity
The shift into non-military life can bring challenges that can lead to veterans feeling detached and in between military and civilian worlds. The reality for many is that this can potentially lead to housing problems, debt, health issues, PTSD, or alcohol, drug or gambling misuse. Which can, in turn, lead to some veterans being at risk of offending.
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 FORTITUDE: Veteran Supported Housing
Op FORTITUDE works with individual veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness, supporting them either with advice and guidance to maintain their current home, or into suitable veterans supported housing. The service is designed to help those veterans who do not have a suitable support network already, the network they do have is struggling to support them, or the veteran struggles to engage with local services.
Op STERLING: Help for Older LGBT+ Veterans
Before 12 January 2000, there was a ban on LGBT+ personnel serving in the Armed Forces – those who did sign up were forced to hide their identity. Because of the ban, thousands of LGBT+ service personnel were removed or forced to leave service and abandoned. For some, this meant not only losing their jobs, but also friends and family, as well as access to pensions that they’d earned while serving the country.
Fighting With Pride and Age UK are delivering Op STERLING Operation Sterling to specifically help these older LGBT+ veterans, with a focus on helping them access financial support.