We are proud to support our Armed Forces community. That’s why we are an accredited Veteran Friendly GP practice. Our team is specially trained to support our veteran patients and help them to access the specialist services they need.
If your practice would like to join us and nearly 1,100 other accredited practices, you can complete a simple form to sign up today at rcgp.org.uk/veterans.
Have you served in the British Armed Forces?
A new initiative has been put in place by the government to identify all veterans in order to prioritise their NHS hospital care. Please let the surgery know if you are a veteran of the British Armed Forces or a Merchant Seaman who served in operations by the Armed Forces or if you are the spouse/partner of a Military Veteran or if you are part of a current armed forces family. (i.e spouse/partner/child of currently serving personnel).
Please let reception know so that we can add a code to your record to indicate that you are a veteran.
There will also be support services and social meeting groups starting in the Fareham area which we may be able to signpost you to.
The Veteran Service needs Volunteers!
Are you Ex-military?
Would you like to volunteer?
If so …
We need you!
To support the Veteran Service Team, befriend and chat to our patients from the military community, (dependant on Covid 19 Government guidelines).
Please contact Keith Malcolm for more information, [email protected], Tel: 02392286498.
Top tips for Veterans
How to get the Most From Your GP
- It is important to register with a GP, rather than wait until you need treatment. Visit the NHS website at www.nhs.uk to find details of GP practices in your local area.
- If you’ve recently left the 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 that you may have and ensure that you are referred, where appropriate, to dedicated services for veterans.
This includes the specialist mental and physical health services, Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service and the Veterans Trauma Network.
When using these services, you will be able to speak to people who:- understand the Armed Forces and military life
- are either from the Armed Forces community or highly experienced in working with serving personnel, reservists, veterans and their families
- will work with you to make sure you get the right type of specialist care, support, and treatment
- work closely with a range of organisations and charities, including military charities, to support your wider health and wellbeing needs.
- 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.
For more information, speak to your GP or visit the NHS website at www.nhs.uk/armedforceshealth
Twitter @NHSArmedForces.