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Veteran Friendly

 

We are an Armed Forces veteran friendly accredited GP Practice

Veterans

Veteran Friendly Armed Forces veteran
friendly accredited
GP practice

We are delighted to announce that the Hedena Health is an Armed Forces veteran friendly accredited GP practice. We have been awarded the accreditation by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP).

If you are ex-forces, please update your veteran status here or inform our patient services admin team

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.

This means that you can expect the following from our practice

  • 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 the practice team. 

Top tips for veterans

How to get the most from your GP

  1. Many veterans do not realise that they are veterans. A veteran is defined as anyone who has served for at least one day in the Armed Forces, whether as a regular or reservist.
  2. It is important to register with a GP, rather than wait until you need treatment. If you are not already registered with Hedena health, please register online
  3. If you’ve recently left the forces, it is important to give us the paperwork that your military medical centre gave you including any medical records such as the fMed133A form. 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.
  4. Regardless of when you left the military, tell us that you’ve served in the UK Armed Forces. This will help us 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. You may be entitled to priority treatment if your condition is attributable to your time in service.
  5. Please see information below about the specialist mental and physical health services available for veterans such as Op COURAGE. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.

What other services are available?

Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service

Op RESTORE: the Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service

Prosthetics

Personalised Care for Veterans

Op FORTITUDE

Operation Stirling

Hearing Loss and Tinnitus

Mobility Equipment Support

Veterans' Gateway

Contact

Help for Heroes

Combat Stress

Blesma

To find out more, please speak to our practice manager or one of our GPs or nurses.

If you would like to provide feedback on how we are performing as a veteran friendly GP practice, please let a member of our staff know

More information on health services for the Armed Forces community