Veteran Friendly Practice

Billinghay Medical Practice are delighted to announce that we are officially accredited as an Armed Forces Veteran Friendly GP Practice!

We also hold designed Veteran Clinics at the Practice once a month, for more information or to book an appointment, please speak to reception.

What does this mean for our patients?

Whilst many aspects of the health needs of veterans are the same as for the general public, there are sometimes significant differences, particularly in relation to conditions attributable to service life and the associated impact for individuals and their families. These differences can be reflected in the way in which healthcare is delivered, the range and types of some specific services provided and the long-term impact upon patients and families.

Being accredited by the Royal College of General Practitioners means that our practice can better identify and treat veterans, refer them, where appropriate, to dedicated NHS services, (such as the Veterans’ Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison service (TILS), the Veterans’ Mental Health Complex Treatment Service (CTS) and the Veterans Trauma Network.

What is the Armed Forces Covenant?

The NHS has a duty to deliver on several health commitments, which are set out in the Armed Forces Covenant;

• The Armed Forces community should encompass 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.
• It also means that the NHS is better able to meet the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant, which declares that the Armed Forces community, including veterans, should face no disadvantage in accessing health services and should receive priority care for military attributable conditions, subject to clinical need.

What is a Veteran?

A veteran is someone who has served in the British Armed Forces, (Regular or Reserve) for at least one day. Veterans also include any member of the Merchant Marine who has served in a war zone. This includes crew from convoys in World War 2 and more recently in the Falklands conflict and Gulf Wars.

About 18,000 service people move back into civilian life every year and whilst most of these individuals have similar levels of health to the general population, around 2,000 leave on medical grounds. The top reasons for medical discharge are for issues relating to back, knees, mental health and hearing.

If you are a veteran, it is important that you do let us know!

NHS services and support available to veterans?

Below is a link to the Lincolnshire Armed Forces Community Directory, please do have a look through as there is many resources available:

Armed Forces Community Directory | Lincolnshire