Veterans' Health
Bottisham Medical Practice is an accredited Veteran Friendly GP Practice
We are proud to support our Armed Forces community.
As a Veteran Friendly GP Practice we:
• Have a clinical lead for veteran health
• Ask patients ‘Have you served?’ to identify veteran patients
• Support veteran patients to access dedicated health services
• Undertake specialist training to meet the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant
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. Nearly 1,100 practices are now Veteran Friendly accredited. To find out more about the Veteran Friendly Practices accreditation scheme, visit rcgp.org.uk/veterans
The Veteran Friendly Practices accreditation scheme is run by the Royal College of General Practitioners in partnership with NHS England and NHS Improvement.
Veterans' Mental Health High Intensity Service
The High Intensity Service (East of England) provides a specialist service for those who have served in the regular armed forces or as a reservist in the British Military and their families, offering intensive mental health support if and when a veteran needs it.
It provides rapid access to an assessment and intensive support package for veterans who are experiencing a mental health crisis, ensuring a comprehensive approach to meet your needs and includes support for families and carers. It works collaboratively with local mental health teams to ensure you receive a military-sensitive and enhanced package of support. It also works alongside other NHS services to enhance the mental health care a veteran would already receive.
There is no self-referral route but you can ask your GP or other health professional to refer you.
Veterans High Intensity Service.pdf
In addition 24 hour emotional support is available via the Mental Health Matters support line for veterans and their carers:-
0800 519 2702
Veterans' Mental Health
The reports and images of the atrocities unfolding in the Ukraine over the past weeks may be “triggering” in those who have served. Some may find the news about the current conflict overwhelming. Recognition and awareness of this is important in providing appropriate care and support for our veteran patients. Veterans who find their mental health and wellbeing affected by the war can seek specialist support through Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service and the Veterans’ Gateway.
Support Organisations
- Op Nova – Support for veterans who are in contact with the justice system.
- Op Restore – Healthcare & welfare support for veterans, service leavers, non-mobilised reservists and, their family members and carers
- Veterans UK – Offers free support and looks after the assessment, award, payment and maintenance of all pensions relating to service in the armed forces.
- Veterans Gateway – Gets veterans and their families in touch with the organisations best placed to help with the advice and support they need.
- Forces Employment Charity – Provides life long, life changing support, jobs and training opportunities to service leavers, veterans, reservists and their spouses, partners and children.
- Mental health services for veterans | Combat Stress – Specialist clinical treatment and support for veterans, with a focus on those with complex mental health issues.
- UK Armed Forces and military veterans charity | Help For Heroes – Helping Veterans and their families live well after service.
- Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Airmen’s Families Association (SSAFA) – Helping the Armed Forces community with a focus on providing direct support to individuals in need or physical or emotional care.
- Army Families Federation (AFF) – Improving the quality of life for Army families, wherever you are in the world.
- Royal British Legion (RBL) – Lifelong support to serving and ex-serving personnel and their families.
Urgent support telephone number: 0800 323 4444
Veterans' Health
If you are an Armed Forces veteran registered with a GP and struggling with your mental health or wellbeing, expert help is available from the NHS ‘Op COURAGE’ veterans mental health and wellbeing service, for service leavers, reservists, veterans and their families.
For support locally, the number is 020 3317 6818 or email cim-tr.veteranstilservice-lse@nhs.net.
Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can also get help by dialling 111 and using option 2 when prompted, by booking an emergency GP appointment, visiting A&E or calling 999. Anyone still serving can also call the Military Mental Health Helpline on 0800 323 4444.
If you have left the military and are registered with us please let us know - this will help ensure you can access dedicated services for veterans.
The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has also provided some helpful information for veterans on how to get the most from your GP and a Patient Charter detailing our commitment to you.
