Veteran Friendly GP Practice

We, at Drybrook Surgery are proud to be an accredited Veteran Friendly GP Practice and to support our veteran community.

As a Veteran Friendly GP Practice we:

Have a clinical lead for veteran health , who is supported by the whole Practice to improve veteran health services.
Ask patients ‘Have you served in the Armed Forces?’ to help identify veteran patients
Support veteran patients to access dedicated health services
Undertake regular training and development to meet the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant and better understand the needs of veteran patients

If you are a veteran patient, please let us know that you have served so that we can make sure that we understand your health needs and ensure you are getting the best possible care.

Armed forces veteran friendly accredited practice certificate

What is an armed forces veteran

A veteran is someone who has served in the British Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve) for at least one day. Veterans also include any member of the Merchant Marine who has served in a war zone. This includes crew from convoys in World War 2 and more recently in the Falklands conflict and Gulf Wars.

There are around 2.4 million British Armed Forces Veterans in Great Britain, of whom 89% are male and 60% are aged 65 and over. About 18,000 service people move back into civilian life every year. While most of these individuals have similar levels of health to the general population, around 2,000 leave on medical grounds. The top reasons for medical discharge are for issues relating to back, knees, mental health and hearing.

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

The NHS is here to support your health and wellbeing and keep you mentally and physically well.

Patient charter (PDF)

Top tips for veterans

How to get the most from your GP

Patient top tips (PDF)

Healthcare for the armed forces community

How the NHS can help if you’re in the British armed forces, a veteran or a family member of someone who is serving or who has served.

Mental health services for veterans – Combat stress

We provide clinical treatment and support for veterans from the British Armed Forces, focusing on those with complex mental health issues resulting from their experiences during military service.

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