Veteran Friendly

Op RESTORE is the veteran’s physical health and wellbeing service for those who have served in the UK Armed Forces and is the new name for the Veterans Trauma Network (VTN). Op RESTORE uses a network of both civilian and military consultants, along with welfare support from military charities, to support a veteran’s health using a holistic approach.  Whilst Op RESTORE cannot shorten NHS waiting times, it seeks to ensure the veteran ‘waits well’ and is seen by the most appropriate clinician for their needs.

Learn more about Op RESTORE

Please speak to your GP if you would like to be referred to Op RESTORE.

Additional funding is available to veterans who have lost a limb whilst in military service to access higher specification prostheses than are normally available on the NHS. Funding is approved on a case-by-case basis and you will need to be referred to your local disablement service centre (DSC) who will submit a funding application to the veteran’s prosthetics panel (VPP).

Eligible veterans are also able to access the Complex Prosthetics Assessment Clinic (CPAC), which is run by Defence Medical Rehabilitation services. CPAC supports veterans with particularly complex prosthetic socket needs who have previously been seen at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court.

Personalised care programme for ex-forces with a long-term physical, mental or neurological health condition or disability

Ex-forces with a complex and life-long health condition may be eligible for the veterans personalised care programme. Eligible individuals will have a single personalised care plan for all their health and wellbeing needs that is developed with them and a range of organisations, including health and social care and military charities. As part of this, they may get a personal budget to pay for some of the care and support they need, as well as more support in the community, such as emotional and practical support from people who have similar health conditions or disabilities. To apply, individuals should contact their local clinical commissioning group.

Visit NHS England for more information

Veterans across the UK will have access to Op FORTITUDE, a new dedicated referral pathway for homeless veterans, including those sleeping on the streets. Op FORTITUDE staff will refer callers to a network of support, including housing providers, charities and local authorities. Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and the organisations working with them are encouraged to contact the Op FORTITUDE hotline on 0800 952 0774 or through a secure web portal.

Find more information at the Riverside website

Age UK, in partnership with Fighting With Pride, is delivering Operation Sterling - a programme to help older LGBT+ veterans, who were adversely affected by the ban on LGBT+ personnel serving in the Armed Forces. Operation Stirling will be able to help older LGBT+ veterans access financial support, housing options and social care. LGBT+ veterans who served in the Armed Forces who would like to access Operation Sterling's specialised support, can do so by visiting the Fighting With Pride website to start the referral process.

The veterans hearing foundation are a charity who can support veterans affected by hearing loss. They can help veterans access free hearing tests and tinnitus support as well as assisting with funded hearing support applications.

For more information please visit Armed Forces - UK Veterans Hearing Foundation

The Royal British Legion has a Veterans' Mobility Fund, which provides specialist wheelchairs, orthotic equipment and other mobility related items for veterans who have a service-related serious physical injury and whose needs cannot be met through statutory services.

To find out more, visit the Royal British Legion

The Veterans' Gateway is made up of a consortium of organisations and Armed Forces charities, including The Royal British Legion, SSAFA, Combat Stress and Connect Assist. It is a main point of contact for veterans seeking support, putting them and their families in touch with the organisations best placed to help with the information, advice and support they need – from healthcare and housing to employability, finances, personal relationships and more.

For more information, visit the Veterans' Gateway website

Contact is a group of charitable, support and state organisations that have joined forces to enhance mental health support available to the Armed Forces community.

For more information, visit The Contact Group

Help for Heroes provides direct, practical support for wounded, injured and sick service personnel, veterans and their loved ones from any conflict. They have four recovery centres in the UK offering medical care, guidance, support and advice. Patients can self-refer or be referred by a professional. Once referred, an initial assessment will take place within one to two weeks and there is no waiting list for treatment.

For further information, visit Help For Heroes

Combat Stress is the UK’s leading mental health charity for veterans. It provides free specialised clinical treatment and support to ex-servicemen and women across the UK with mental health conditions.

For further information, visit the Combat Stress website

Blesma supports limbless veterans to lead independent and fulfilling lives. Blesma is dedicated to assisting serving and ex-service men and women who have suffered life-changing limb loss or the use of a limb, an eye or loss of sight. They support these men and women in their communities throughout the UK and provide centralised assistance to those living overseas.

Blesma works closely with the NHS to ensure the latest advances in the relevant medical fields are converted into practical solutions that can benefit all of their members. They do not provide members prosthetics, but they do help prosthetists develop their skills at undergraduate and PhD level.

For more information visit the Blesma website