Thursday 18th March 2021
Here we explain the NHS England services and initiatives for the Armed Forces Community you should be aware of as a Service person or family member.
Veteran friendly GP practice accreditation
What is it?
The ‘veteran-friendly’ GP practice is an initiative that recognises the specialist needs of Veterans and the Armed Forces community (which includes serving personnel, regulars and reserves, veterans and their families).
Why is it important?
Despite the name, this is extremely relevant to the members of a serving Armed Forces family. By telling your GP you are a member of a Service family it will raise awareness that you are eligible for support from other agencies should you require it.
What to do?
As part of this initiative, GPs will ask patients if they have ever served in the Armed Forces – you should tell your GP practice that you are from a Service family and ask for it to be recorded on your patient notes.
The Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA)
What is it?
Similar to the Veteran Friendly GP practice, this accreditation is for hospitals.
Why is it important for you?
Again, despite the name this is extremely relevant for members of a serving Armed Forces family. By making your hospital aware you are part of a Service family, they will know that you are eligible for support from other agencies should you require it.
What to do
Participating hospitals will ask patients if they have ever served in the Armed Forces, and should also ask if you are from a Service family. If they don’t ask, we strongly recommend that you tell them and ask for it to be recorded on your patient notes.
Armed Forces personnel in transition: Integrated Personal Commissioning for Veterans Framework (IPC4V)
What is it?
This is a personalised care approach for Armed Forces personnel who have complex and enduring physical, neurological and mental health conditions that are attributable to injury whilst in Service.
Why is it important?
It provides a framework for effectively planning and delivering personalised care in line with the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant.
What do I need to do?
The process starts about 9 months before AF personnel leave the military.
Other services to be aware of:
The remaining three services are for Veterans exclusively, however, every Service person will be a Veteran one day and so it is useful to be aware of them in case you or a family member need to access them in the future.
- Veterans Trauma Network (VTN)
- Veterans Prosthetics Panel (VPP)
- Personalised care for veterans with a long-term physical, mental or neurological health condition or disability.
Find out more about health care provision for RAF Families here >
