Veteran Health
Downton Surgery is fully accredited by the Royal College of General Practitioners as an
Armed Forces friendly GP Practice. We are committed to ensuring that Veterans’ healthcare
needs are met.
What is a Veteran?
A veteran is anyone who has served for at least one day in the Armed Forces, whether as a
regular or reservist. It means the same as “ex-service personnel” or “ex-forces,” although
not all veterans know the term or choose to associate with it. Younger veterans might refer
to themselves as “ex-forces,” in the belief that a veteran is someone who fought in the
First or Second World War.
The NHS has a duty to deliver on a number of health commitments for the Armed Forces
community — service personnel (regular and reserves), their families, and veterans — set out
in the Armed Forces Covenant and the NHS Constitution.
This is recognised in the NHS Constitution, which states:
“The NHS will ensure that in line with the Armed Forces Covenant, those in the Armed
Forces, reservists, their families and veterans are not disadvantaged in accessing health
services in the area they reside.”
Top tips for Veterans
- Register with a GP, rather than waiting until you need treatment. Visit the NHS registration website to register.
- If you’ve recently left the forces, give your GP the paperwork your military medical centre gave you, including any medical records. This helps make sure your military
health record transfers to your NHS health record, and gives your GP information on your
health so any ongoing care and treatment continues smoothly. - Tell your GP that you’ve served in the UK Armed Forces, whenever you left. This helps
your GP understand any military-related health conditions you may have, and ensures you’re
referred to dedicated veterans’ services where appropriate. - Be aware of additional services for Veterans. This includes specialist mental and
physical health services, Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service, and
the Veterans Trauma Network. Through these services, you’ll be able to speak to people who
understand Armed Forces and military life, are experienced with serving personnel,
reservists, veterans and their families, and who work with a range of organisations and
charities to support your wider health and wellbeing needs. - With your agreement, your doctor can sometimes 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 don’t all deliver healthcare directly. - You may be worried about sharing information about your time in the Armed Forces.
The NHS is bound by a confidentiality code of practice, so GPs, nurses and other NHS staff
deliver a confidential service protected by law.
