Cornwall and Isles of Scilly lead the way in GP support for veterans

Support for Veterans in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have set a national benchmark, becoming the first integrated care system in England where all GP practices are officially accredited as Veteran Friendly. The final practices received accreditation on 11th November, coinciding with Armistice Day.

This development is part of a broader effort by the NHS to encourage veterans to inform their GP practices of their status. By doing so, veterans can access additional healthcare and support tailored to their unique needs.

A Commitment to Veteran Health Care

Dr Chris Reid, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board, expressed pride in this achievement:
“We are incredibly proud that by Armistice Day we were the first integrated care system in England to have every GP practice accredited as Veteran Friendly.

“This achievement reflects the commitment of our GP surgeries to ensure that those who have served our nation receive the health care and support they deserve.

“As a veteran myself, I know how important it is to talk to someone who is aware of the long-term consequences that military service can have on a person’s physical and mental health, and veterans in Cornwall can be confident that they will be given the right care and support they need.”

A Focus on Collaboration and Progress

Louis Gardner, Armed Forces Member Champion and Portfolio Holder for Economy at Cornwall Council, highlighted the collaboration between Cornwall Council and local health services:
“The health and wellbeing of Cornwall’s veterans was an important focus of the Council’s Armed Forces Community Conference last year and resulted in an aim to work with health colleagues towards achieving 100% of Cornwall’s surgeries being accredited.

“To see the progress made in the last year from 52% to 100% is fantastic and a tribute to the commitment that Cornwall’s GPs have for our armed forces. What is important now is that we raise awareness amongst our veteran community so that they can ensure that they are receiving the help and support that they need.”

Understanding the Needs of Veterans

Veterans may face specific health challenges related to their service, including physical injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), hearing loss, and difficulty transitioning to civilian life. New research reveals that 1 in 7 veterans with service-related issues have not sought help from healthcare professionals. However, nearly two-thirds say they would seek help if they knew their GP practice was Veteran Friendly.

Dr Matthew Boulter, Associate Director for Veterans at NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board, urged veterans to come forward:
“We know veterans may have health needs because of their service to their country, and we want to ensure that we are able to give them the support they need. If you are a veteran, please let your GP practice know.”

What Does It Mean to Be Veteran Friendly?

Veteran Friendly GP practices:

• Identify veteran patients and record their status to support future appointments.
• Understand the specific health needs of veterans and their challenges in transitioning to civilian life.
• Provide priority access to specialist services like Op COURAGE and Op RESTORE for mental and physical health support.

A veteran is defined as anyone who has served at least one day in the UK Armed Forces. With 1.74 million veterans in England, many may not realise their GP practices are equipped to offer tailored support.

To learn more about NHS services for veterans, visit nhs.co.uk/veterans.