We are proud to be an Armed Forces veteran friendly accredited GP Practice.

Certificate of Accreditation

Whilst the NHS is available to everyone, including the Armed Forces community, these services offer ex-forces care and treatment for a range of mental and physical health conditions. They are also provided by military and civilian experts to help ensure that you get the very best care from people who understand your health needs and Armed Forces’ experiences. As part of this dedicated care and support, these services work closely with a range of organisations and charities, including military charities, to support your wider health and wellbeing needs.

Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service

Op COURAGE is an NHS service supported by trained professionals who are from, or have experience of working with, the armed forces community.

The service can help veterans in England who are finding life difficult after leaving the military. Working together with armed forces charities, they can help veterans get the right type of specialist care, support and treatment for their specific needs.

To receive help and support from Op COURAGE, you must:

• be a resident in England and have served in the UK armed forces for a full day
• be registered with a GP surgery in England, or be willing and eligible to register with a GP
• provide your military service number

To find out more - please use this link

The Veterans Trauma Network (VTN) provides care and treatment to those with a service-related physical health condition. Available in specialist health centres across England, the VTN works closely with Defence Medical Services, the TILS, and CTS, as well as military charities to provide a complete package of care.

Your GP can refer you by using a single national email -veteranstraumanetwork@nhs.net. 

We know that families can be affected when their loved ones are unwell, so the Op COURGAGE (overarching name for TILS, CTS & HIS) and VTN will offer to assess their health and wellbeing needs and where appropriate help them to access local services for care and treatment. With your permission and where appropriate, they will also have the opportunity to be involved in developing your care plan.

TILS - Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service 

CTS - Complex Treatment Service

HIS - High Intensity Service

VTN - Veterans Trauma Network

If you have a complex and life-long health condition, you may be eligible for the veterans' personalised care program. This is about making sure you have more choice and control over how your care is planned and delivered. It is based on what matters to you, meaning that you can choose how best to live your life and get the right support to make this happen. This is set out in a personalised care plan which is developed with you and a range of organisations, including health and social care and military charities. As part of this, you may get a personal budget to pay for some of the care and support you need. You should also get more support in the community and be able to access a range of help, such as emotional and practical support from people who have similar health conditions or disabilities. To find out more, contact your local council.

Details of your local council can be found on the NHS website at www.nhs.uk.

The NHS has launched veteran-aware and veteran-friendly accreditation schemes for GP practices and other NHS services.

Accredited services:

• demonstrate their commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant
• have designated veterans lead
• train staff in the health needs of ex-forces
• work with a range of organisations, including the NHS veterans services and military charities
• proactively identify ex-forces to ensure the right care and treatment is provided

Please click the link For further information on Veterans Services.

If you or your family feel that you would benefit from additional support or would like assistance in signposting please speak to our Community & Care Co-ordinator - or alternatively please email us at riverside.inbox@nhs.net.