Parkside Medical Centre is accredited as an Armed Forces Veteran Friendly GP Practice.
A veteran is someone who has served in the armed forces for at least one day. There are around 2.6 million veterans in the UK.
When servicemen and women leave the armed forces, their healthcare is responsibility of the NHS.
It is highly important for continuing healthcare that you register with an NHS GP and remember to tell them you've served. Telling the GP practice about your veteran status will trigger the transfer of your full medical documentation from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to your GP and enable you to benefit from veteran-specific services, like prosthetics and mental health.
You shouldn't be disadvantaged from accessing appropriate health services, so it is important that you notify your current GP that you are moving, particularly if you are on a waiting list of medical treatment, so that this information can be transferred across.
All veterans are entitled to priority access to NHS care (including hospital, primary or community care) for conditions associated to their time within the armed forces (service-related). However this is always subject to clinical need and does not entitle you to jump the queue ahead of someone with a higher clinical need.
If you have served in the armed forces and are registered with this practice, please let us know as soon as possible if you have not already so that we can code your record. We can then ensure appropriate referrals are noted with your status as a military veteran, so that you may receive priority access, should this be appropriate.
Do you know or are you a military veteran?
The Veterans Gateway is the first point of contact for veterans seeking support, they put veterans 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.
There is a huge network of organisations supporting the Armed Forces community, so finding the right one for your needs can be tricky, they make it quick and easy by being your first point of contact for whatever support you need, whether you are based in the UK or abroad.
Who is part of Veterans’ Gateway?
Veterans’ Gateway is made up of a consortium of organisations and Armed Forces charities, including The Royal British Legion, SSAFA – the Armed Forces charity, Poppyscotland, Combat Stress and Connect Assist.
Our connection with additional key referral partners and information organisations – both within and outside the Armed Forces sector – means we can get you to the right organisation who can help.
Get in touch
You can speak to one of the team by phone or email who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to put you in touch with the help you need, or direct you to the information you are looking for.
Call 0808 802 1212 – Speak to an advisor in our contact centre or see the website https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk/partners for more information.
Verteran Medical Fund
The Royal British Legion has introduced a new Veterans Medical Funds programme providing support for veterans with hearing loss and serious physical injury.
Both of the funds described below will be available to veterans across the UK.
Veteran Hearing Fund
The Veterans Hearing Fund (VHF) provides support to veterans who acquired hearing loss during Service where there is a wellbeing need that can not be met through statutory services (eg the NHS).
There are two stages to the application process. The first stage assesses eligibility and will require applicants to submit a copy of Service medical records which must include audiometry data. If the applicant is in receipt of a War Pension or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme Award, and this was awarded due to hearing loss, then they can submit a copy of their documentation confirming this in lieu of Service medical records. The second stage will be completed and submitted by an audiologist who will agree what equipment or treatments would help improve your quality of life. Note that VHF will not replace statutory support – but add to it.
VHF may fund hearing aids, peripherals or therapies (eg lip reading).
Please note that the VHF is unable to reimburse applicants for previously purchased equipment.
To apply, please download and complete a VHF eligibility application form. To request a form to be sent to you by post, please call our Contact Centre on 0808 802 8080 (free) or email medicalfunds@britishlegion.org.uk
Blind veterans UK
We want to make applying for support either for yourself, or on behalf of someone else, as simple as possible. Just follow these few steps and you’ll be well on your way to joining our other 4,000 veteran beneficiaries.
How to apply:
Call us free on 0800 389 7979, complete our application form request or download our application form
The practice signed the Armed Forces Covenant on the 24th May 2022 to confirm our commitment to recognising those patient's who served in the armed Forces. Details of our commitment can be seen below:
The Armed Forces Covenant
The Armed Forces community should enjoy the same standard of, and access to healthcare as that received by any other UK citizen in the area they live.
Family members should retain their place on any NHS waiting list, if moved around the UK due to the service person being posted.
Veterans should receive priority treatment for a condition which relates to their service, subject to clinical need.
Those injured in service should be cared for in a way that reflects the nation's moral obligation to them, by healthcare professionals who understand the Armed Forces culture.
