A veteran is anyone who has served for at least one day in the Armed Forces, whether as a regular or reservist. It means the same as “ex service personnel” or “ex forces”, although not all veterans know the term or choose to associate with the term “veteran”. Younger veterans might refer themselves as “ex-forces”, in the belief that a veteran is someone who fought in the First / Second World War.

Under the Armed Forces Covenant, all veterans are entitled to priory access to NHS care including, hospital, primary or community care and conditions associated to their time within the armed forces. However, this is always subject to clinical need and does not entitle you to jump the queue ahead of someone with higher clinical need.  In order to apply the Covenant, the practice needs to know that you served. Therefore, if you have been a member of the Regular or Reserve Armed Forces (Royal Navy, Army or Royal Air Force) send us an email at cathedralmedical@nhs.net, speak to someone in reception or let your clinician know during your appointment.

When you left HM Forces, you may have been given a medical release form, F Med 133. If you would like your new GP to access your service medical records, you need to complete the form and send it to the appropriate address found at the top of form

If you were not given the form, please send a signed and dated letter (not email) through the post to the respective armed forces address below stating your consent to the release of your service medical history to Cathedral Medical Group, Cawley Road, Chichester PO191XT.

You will need to include the following details: Service number, rank/rating, Surname, Forename(s), Date of Birth National Insurance Number & your Residential address on leaving the service.

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.

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.

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.

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.