Information for military veterans
The healthcare needs of veterans can be different from other patients. This is why we are keen to encourage all veterans to register their status with the practice so we can provide you with effective and supportive health care.
If you are patient registered with Sid Valley Practice please telephone 01395 512601 or email the surgery d-icb.sidvalleymedicalrecords@nhs.net, so that we can register you at the Practice as a veteran.
New patient registrations to the Practice, please complete the online registration form and complete the Armed Forces section.
You might also find the links below useful
‘Op Courage’ Veterans Mental Health Service
“Ops Courage” is the new name for:
- the Veterans’ Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service (TILS)
- the Veterans’ Mental Health Complex Treatment Service (CTS)
- the Veterans’ Mental Health High Intensity Service (HIS)
The new name has been developed to make it easier for those leaving the military and veterans to find help. It was developed following feedback from the armed forces community and with support from NHS England and NHS Improvement Armed Forces Patient and Public Voice and Lived Experience Groups.
- You can contact the service directly using the details below, or you can ask your GP or a military charity to refer you.
- Call 0300 365 2000 and press option 4
- or email gateway@berkshire.nhs.uk.
‘On Parade’ videos
In support of helping more veterans seek help from Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service, the London region has produced a series of videos with ‘On Parade’ – an informative chat show discussing issues facing military veterans in Civilian Life.
NHS physical health services – Veterans Trauma Network (VTN)
The VTN is the first NHS pathway for veterans’ physical health, providing care and treatment to those with a service-attributable healthcare problem.
How to get help from the VTN
You can be referred by:
Veterans’ Gateway
A useful first point of contact for veterans seeking support. The Veterans’ Gateway puts 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.
Veterans UK
Veterans UK provides free support for veterans and their families, including a helpline, Veterans Welfare Service and injury/bereavement compensation scheme payments.
Armed Forces Covenant
The covenant focusses on helping members of the armed forces community have the same access to government and commercial services and products as any other citizen.This support is provided in a number of areas including:
education and family well-being, having a home, starting a new career, access to healthcare, financial assistance and
discounted services
Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion supports the Armed Forces community to access the support they need. They provide information and advice on physical and mental wellbeing, finance, employment and practical support for independent living.
Contact
The Contact Group (‘Contact’) is the collaboration of charity, academic and professional organisations working to improve mental health support to the UK armed forces community including serving personnel, veterans and their families.
Help for Heroes
If you, or a loved one has been physically or psychologically wounded while serving in the British Armed Forces, Help for Heroes is just a phone call or email away to provide support.
Combat Stress
Combat Stress is the UK’s leading mental health charity for veterans. It provides free specialised clinical treatment and support to ex-servicemen and women across the UK with mental health conditions. Combat Stress has a strategic partnership with the MOD and the Department of Health and Social Care. This enables the charity to work with NHS mental health trusts and Armed Forces Health Networks to develop services suitable for military veterans.
Blesma
Blesma supports limbless veterans to lead independent and fulfilling lives. Blesma is dedicated to assisting serving and ex-service men and women who have suffered life-changing limb loss or the use of a limb, an eye or loss of sight. They support these men and women in their communities throughout the UK and provide centralised assistance to those living overseas.
Blesma works closely with the NHS to ensure the latest advances in the relevant medical fields are converted into practical solutions that can benefit all of their members. Anyone fitted for a prosthesis will know that the socket fit is paramount and it is often the cause of most issues. Blesma keeps up to date with developments in this area and encourages research and development, maintaining close links with NHS national teams, Defence Medical Services (particularly the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court) and industry.
Devon Forces Family
Devon Forces Family provides information for anyone who has ever served in any branch of the armed forces and is now living in Devon, or is planning to move here.
The Hub
Community support in Devon.
