Forest Health is a veteran friendly accredited GP practice
As a veteran friendly practice, we:
- Have an appointed ‘Veteran’s Champion’, Paramedic Dan Swain. Regular involvement is sought from Dan in our interactions with veterans, such as via our Patient Participation Group (PPG) meetings and wider events, to feed into our ongoing support efforts to this patient group
- Ask patients to tell us if they’re a veteran
- Support veteran patients to access dedicated health services
- Undertake specialist training to meet the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant
A veteran is anyone who has served for at least one day in the British Armed Forces, whether as a Regular or Reservist (previously known as the Territorial Army). Veterans also include those who were Merchant Navy seafarers, or fisherman who served in a vessel used to support the UK’s armed forces at any time.
Being accredited by the Royal College of General Practitioners means that as a practice, we can better identify and treat veterans, refer them, where appropriate, to dedicated NHS services 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.
The veteran friendly practices accreditation scheme is run by the Royal College of General Practitioners in partnership with NHS England and NHS Improvement.
Tell us if you are a veteran
Please tell us if you are a military veteran so that we can make sure you are offered the support and assistance you may need, now or in the future, as a result of your service.
If you are new to the practice, you will be asked if you have ever served in the Armed Forces when you complete your new patient registration form.
If you are already a Forest Health patient, you can tell us that you are a veteran by providing us with a copy of your medical summary form (FMed133A). The FMed133A includes the details we need to request your complete military GP medical records from DMS. You can hand this in at reception at any of our sites.
If you can’t provide us with a copy of your FMed133A, please visit reception at any of our sites and ask to fill out a Veteran Information form. Please bring a form of photo ID with you.
We will then request your complete military GP medical records from DMS. It usually takes several months for your military GP records to be received once requested.
If you were given a copy of your summary medical records during your discharge period, it can be helpful for us to have a copy of this if we do not have access to your full military medical records yet.
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.
Resources for veterans
All links open in a new tab.
Top tips for veterans leaflet (pdf download) – Tips on how to get the most from your GP, provided by the Royal College of General Practitioners.
Healthcare for the armed forces community – NHS Website – How the NHS can help if you’re in the British armed forces or are a veteran, a reservist or a family member of someone who is serving or who has served.
Support for veterans and their families – GOV.UK – Find support for UK armed forces veterans and their families, including help with finance, healthcare, employment, housing, social care and more.
About the Covenant – Armed Forces Covenant
Charities
Mental health services for veterans | Combat Stress – Provides self-help mental health advice on their website. They offer mental health helplines 24 hours a day for confidential advice and support.
Home – Armed Forces Support – DMWS – Provides practical and emotional support to military personnel, veterans, their families and other entitled civilians when they’re in hospital, rehabilitation or recovery centres.
UK Armed Forces and military veterans charity | Help For Heroes – Provides physical, psychological, financial and welfare support. Contact Help for Heroes through their website to see how they can support you.
Royal British Legion | Armed Forces Charity – Provides advice and support on wellbeing on their website and through their community branches. The online chat and helpline are open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week.