Military veterans

Last Updated: Monday, 20 May 2024

Sefton Armed Forces Support

How to get the most from your GP

1. It is important to register with a GP, rather than wait until you need treatment. Visit the NHS website at www.nhs.uk to find details of GP practices in your local area.
2. If you’ve recently left the forces, it is important to give your GP the paperwork that your military medical centre gave you, including any medical records. This will help to make sure your military health record transfers to your NHS health record. This will also give your GP information on your health and ensure that any ongoing care and treatment is continued.
3. Regardless of when you left the military, tell your GP that you’ve served in the UK Armed Forces. This will help your GP to better understand any military related health conditions that you may have and ensure that you are referred, where appropriate, to dedicated services for veterans.

This includes the specialist mental and physical health services, Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service and the Veterans Trauma Network.

 Top Tips for veterans

Veterans, service leavers, and non-mobilised reservists - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Mental health support for veterans, service leavers and reservists - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

When using these services, you will be able to speak to people who:

• understand the Armed Forces and military life
• are either from the Armed Forces community or highly experienced in working with serving personnel, reservists, veterans and their families
• will work with you to make sure you get the right type of specialist care, support, and treatment
• work closely with a range of organisations and charities, including military charities, to support your wider health and wellbeing needs.

With your agreement, it can sometimes be helpful for your doctor to refer you to Armed Forces charities, such as SSAFA, the Royal British Legion, Combat stress or Help for Heroes. They can often offer significant help and support, even if they do not all deliver healthcare.

You may be worried about sharing information about your time in the Armed Forces. Please note that the NHS is bound by a confidentiality code of practice to ensure GPs, nurses and other people working within the NHS deliver a confidential service bound by law.

Online services for military veterans

If you are a veteran you may find it beneficial to register for online services including making appointments, ordering medication or viewing test results.  Find out about signing up to services