Veteran Friendly Accredited Practices

Patient Charter

The NHS is here to help improve your health and wellbeing and keep you mentally and physically well. It is also here to help you get better when you are ill and, when you cannot fully recover, to stay as well as you can until the end of your life.

As a Veteran Friendly Accredited Practice, your practice makes a commitment to you as a veteran that you can expect the following from us:

• 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.
• We will ask you to share details of your time in service to help us to assess 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 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 concerns about the services we offer, please speak to one of your practice's team.

For a PDF copy of the below, please click here.

This can be a very emotive time for some, as we remember the sacrifices made by those who have served for our freedom.

If it is a time you find difficult, speak to your GP or contact one of our Armed Forces Link Workers.

For more information and contact details for our Armed Forces Link Workers, please click here and here

We are here to support you. You are not alone.

How to get the most from your GP

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 Op RESTORE: The Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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 a PDF copy of the above, please click here.

Local Services in Somerset

NHS Somerset have funded two Armed Forces Link Workers who are based at two hubs in the county, one in Taunton and another in a more rural setting in Merriott, near Crewkerne. These services are open to all members of the Armed Forces community, including those serving, their families and veterans.

You can self-refer to access these hubs by visiting this link for contact details: https://nhssomerset.nhs.uk/my-health/my-local-health-services/armed-forces/armed-forces-hubs-in-somerset/ or speak to your GP surgery.

You can also view contact details here: Armed Forces hub poster March 2024

Finally you can also visit the Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB) website for more local information: Armed Forces - NHS Somerset ICB

ARK at Egwood is a land based day service for people of all ages, needs and abilities and is set in 12 acres of land and woodland. You can visit their website here: https://arkategwood.com/

You can find out more about the hub near Merriott, "Ark at Egwood" by following this link to an episode of the Health and Self-Care (HaSC) podcast hosted by Somerset based Clinicians: Health and Care Needs of the Armed Forces Community (castos.com)

You can also download and read their introduction form and information leaflet below:

ARK Armed Forces Hub Introduction Form

ARK leaflet APR24

Op RESTORE: The Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service

Previously called the Veterans Trauma Network (VTN), Op RESTORE provides care and treatment to Veterans with a physical health condition that is linked to their service. Located in 13 major trauma centres, the network works closely with Defence Medical Services, civilian and military consultants and other programmes to support Veterans health. To access Op RESTORE, you must be referred by your GP. 

Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service

Op COURAGE provides a broad range of specialist mental health and wellbeing care and support for Service leavers, reservists, veterans and their families.  Individuals can self-refer to their local service or ask a healthcare professional, charity, family member or friend to do this for them.

Op COURAGE is also available to Afghan Veterans who worked to assist the British Armed Forces between October 2001 and August 2021, for more specific information on the Warm Welcome Afghan Service please visit: https://londonveteranservice.nhs.uk/warm-welcome-afghan-service

For more information visit: Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service. To self refer to the South West England service, call 0300 034 9986 or email mevs.mhm@nhs.net

Op FORTITUDE

A new dedicated referral pathway for homeless veterans, including those sleeping on the streets. Op FORTITUDE staff can refer callers to a number of partner agencies, including housing providers, charities and local authorities. To access this service call 0800 952 0774 or complete the referral form.

Further information can be found at: https://www.riverside.org.uk/care-and-support/veterans/

Operation Sterling

A programme to help older LGBT+ veterans, who were adversely affected by the ban on LGBT+ personnel serving in the Armed Forces before January 2000. Operation Sterling will provide telephone based support, advice and casework to older LGBT+ veterans through Age UK's Advice Line; combining the expertise of Age UK together with the expert knowledge of Fighting With Pride. Operation Stirling will be able to help older LGBT+ veterans access financial support, housing options and social care.

To self refer to this service, visit https://www.fightingwithpride.org.uk/get-in-touch/

Op NOVA: Supporting Veterans in the Justice System

A service providing personal non-clinical support to veterans who are currently involved in the Justice System, including those who have been arrested, are leaving prison or have already left prison.

To find out more information, visit https://www.forcesemployment.org.uk/programmes/op-nova/

You can also visit the NHS website to learn more about health services for the Armed Forces community: Healthcare for the armed forces community - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

You can also access a document with more information about the above and other services here: Resources for military veterans

The Armed Forces Covenant

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise that together we acknowledge and understand that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy, and society they serve with their lives.

Here at Symphony Healthcare Services, we are proud to be accredited with a Silver Award under the Employer Recognition Scheme.

For more information please visit the Armed Forces Covenant website: https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/