We are proud to be an Armed Forces Veteran Friendly Practice.
As an Armed Forces Veteran Friendly practice, our team:
- recognises the importance of identifying veteran patients within our community
- understands the unique health needs that veterans may have
- strives to provide veterans with the very best care and support
- knows about the specialist veteran healthcare services that exist
- undertakes regular training and development to ensure we’re able to deliver the very best care to veterans in our community and meet the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant
If you’re a veteran patient, please do let us know that you have served so that we can make sure you receive the most appropriate and best care, if and when you ever need it.
You can learn more about the accreditation and how it supports veteran patients, here: rcgp.org.uk/veterans
Veteran Friendly GP Practice Poster
Veteran Friendly Practice Accreditation Certificate
Veteran Friendly GP Practice – Frequently Asked Questions
Veteran Friendly Practice – Patient Charter
Did you work with the British Armed Forces in Afghanistan
NHS England and the Armed Forces Community
The Armed Forces Covenant is the promise from the nation that those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved. There principles are enshrined in law. NHS in England has an impressive number of initiatives to support the military community. All details are correct at the time of publishing the newsletter.
Op COMMUNITY is an NHS England funded pilot being delivered by seven Integrated Care Boards (ICB) providing an easily accessible point of contact with a dedicated email and phone number to support the Armed Forces community, with a specific focus on serving families.
- NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire
- NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland
- OpCOMMUNITY – Armed Forces Network (NHS Sussex and Kent and Medway)
Op COURAGE is an NHS mental health specialist service designed to help serving personnel due to leave the military, Reservists, Armed Forces veterans and their families. This service is supported by trained professionals who are from, or have experience of working with, the Armed Forces community. Patients can refer themselves, through a friend, charity or by a GP.
Op FORTITUDE can be accessed by homeless veterans including those sleeping on the streets. The housing hotline, delivered by The Riverside Group, will give homeless veterans a single point of contact to get them the help they need. Veterans can access the scheme through a dedicated charity helpline (0800 9520774).
Op NOVA provides emotional and practical support to veterans at all points of the justice system in England, including pre-arrest, arrest, post-arrest and those serving a custodial sentence. The prime objective is to provide a single support pathway for veterans to move away from the justice system. Veterans are supported on an individual basis, empowering them to engage and access specialist support services. Op NOVA receives referrals from the Police, the NHS Liaison and Diversion teams, the Prison and Probation service and NHS Reconnect (for veterans before they leave prison). Op NOVA is open 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am – 2pm Saturday, their freephone contact number is 0800 9177299.
Op PROSPER is an Office for Veterans’ Affairs programme empowering veterans and their families the length and breadth of the United Kingdom, enabling them to thrive in society by ensuring equal access to employment opportunities and supporting them into sustainable, valuable careers. The programme mobilises the business community to drive practical, cultural and behavioural change within sectors, ensuring they become more ‘veteran friendly’, while also creating tailored pathways for veterans into positions of employment. Call the Veteran Support Team for further information on 0121 262 3058.
Op RESTORE is an NHS service that supports individuals who have served in, or are leaving the UK Armed Forces, and have continuing physical health injuries and related medical problems attributed to their time in the Armed Forces. Referrals need to come from the veteran’s GP by emailing imperial.oprestore@nhs.net.
Op STERLING is a working in partnership with Fighting With Pride, and Age UK delivering a programme to help older LGBT+ veterans, service personnel and their families. The Operation Sterling programme provides telephone-based support, advice and casework to older LGBT+ veterans through Age UK’s Advice Line. The existing expertise of Age UK’s Advice Line advisors and the knowledge that Fighting With Pride has about how best to support the well-being of LGBT+ veterans means that Operation Sterling can support older LGBT+ veterans in many ways. Access to support is via an online enquiry form.
Little Troopers is a UK-wide charity that has been operating since 2011. The charity recognises the unique challenges that forces children face, such as having a parent deployed or having to move home frequently – all of which can significantly impact on a child’s wellbeing and continuity of care.
Little Troopers in Healthcare – Little Troopers
Chronic pain and the veteran
Chronic pain is defined as a pain that lasts more than three months and is more common in military veterans than the general population. Musculo-skeletal, joint, and back pain are the most common causes of pain.
Pain often is associated with mental health problems. Pain is a risk risk factor for opioid and alcohol misuse. Persistent pain often impacts on relationships, work, hobbies, interests, and other activities, as well as mood and overall wellbeing. Those who experience pain find themselves feeling helpless and lacking the confidence to continue with previously meaningful activities. Unrelieved and persistent chronic pain can contribute to depression, anxiety, poor sleep patterns, decreased quality of life and is a risk factor for suicide.
Pain is best treated with a combination of medication and non-drug treatments along with general guidelines for healthy living (good nutrition, moderate exercise and stretching, mental stimulation and a healthy work-life balance.) The Veterans’ Pain Management Programme (PMP) is based at King Edward V11 Hospital, London. This free, veteran wellbeing initiative will help the veteran in need of pain management support,
The PMP is a group-based online program delivered by clinicians including a psychologist, nurse, and physiotherapist. The program is funded by charitable donations.
Comments from veterans who have attended the PMP:
‘I would recommend this to anyone who has long term pain. I never thought that I could find a non-invasive option to help me with my pain and its management until now.’
‘The programme has been hugely beneficial in helping me to understand my long-term pain and identify potential triggers as well as providing positive coping mechanisms.’
Veterans Voice is the latest project proudly introduced by The Bridge for Heroes as part of the Thrive Together programme in the East of England, funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
Building on the success of the Veterans People, Places, and Pathways Programme (VPPP) and the in-depth consultation conducted in 2024, the identified needs of the veteran community across the region have led to the funding of projects under the Veterans Voice initiative for the next two and a half years.
Veterans Voice aims to strengthen partnerships, enhance digital access and provide a forum for feedback, improve awareness and access to services, provide targeted outreach, tackle stigma around mental health issues and improve community integration.
Veterans Central info leaflet 2025
Armed Forces Veteran Card
An HM Armed Forces Veteran Card is a way to prove that you served in the UK armed forces. The card can make it quicker and easier to apply for support as a veteran.
You’ll get your Veteran Card in your service leavers’ pack within 6 weeks of leaving the armed forces.
If you left the armed forces before December 2018, you need to apply for a Veteran Card.
If you’ve already got your card, you can get a digital version of your Veteran Card on your phone.
Who can get a Veteran Card
You can get a card if you were in the regulars or reserves for the:
- Royal Navy
- British Army
- Royal Air Force (RAF)
- Royal Marines
You may also be able to get a card if you served in:
- the Royal Fleet Auxiliary
- the Merchant Navy – and you sailed in support of the UK armed forces
- another group in the UK armed forces
You can check if you’re eligible when you apply for a Veteran Card online or call to request a postal form.
You cannot get a card if you served:
- in the armed forces of another country
- alongside the UK armed forces, for example in the Royal Canadian Navy or Royal Australian Air Force
What you can do with a Veteran Card
You can use a Veteran Card to:
- prove your identity when you vote
- get discounts at restaurants, shops, attractions and gyms
- get travel discounts
- claim National Insurance relief
- prove your identity on domestic British Airways flights
- get employment support
- get housing support
- register as a veteran with your GP
- get support for your physical and mental health