Armed Forces Veteran Friendly Accredited GP Practice

 

veterans

Veteran Friendly Armed Forces veteran
friendly accredited
GP practice

Patient charter: our commitment to you as a veteran of the UK armed forces

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.

Bedlingtonshire medical group is an accredited veteran friendly GP practice

We are proud to support our Armed Forces community and being Accredited shows that we are able to deliver the best possible care and treatment for patients who have served in the armed forces.

As a Veteran Friendly GP Practice we:

  • Have a clinical lead for veteran health
  • Ask patients ‘Have you served?’ to identify veteran patients
  • Support veteran patients to access dedicated health services
  • Undertake specialist training to meet the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant
 

Improving the health of military veterans

A military veteran is defined as anyone who has served more than one day in the armed forces.

It is well known that military veterans have higher than average rates of alcohol misuse and mental health problems. The military culture often makes it difficult for veterans to admit to problems and reach out for help.

Veterans are entitled to priority access to NHS care for conditions related to their service. It is important that if you have served, you let us know. There is a section on our new patient questionnaire about this, but existing patients should also make staff aware of their veteran status.

 

Armed Forces Covenant

A promise by the nation that those who serve or have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly

 

Let us know

Let a member of staff know if you, or your spouse /partner, have ever served in the UK armed forces so that we can best support your care needs.

The Veteran Friendly Practices accreditation scheme is run by the Royal College of General Practitioners in partnership with NHS England and NHS Improvement.

You can find out further information and support by visiting the Royal College of General Practitioners website.

 

Help and support

Please find a list of support service websites below:

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