Information for Veterans

In practical terms we will support Veterans both during and after their hospital stay, by  training staff to be aware of their needs, signposting extra services and keeping them informed via leaflets and other materials. In addition to this, we will also advocate the employment of Veterans and reservists, as we recognise that they can a tremendous asset to our workforce, thanks to their incredible skills and expertise.

Armed Forces Covenant

Above all else, we believe that Veterans and their families should not be disadvantaged from accessing appropriate health services. With that in mind, we are devoted to upholding the Armed Forces Covenant, which is a promise of fair treatment to those who serve or who have served in the UK Armed Forces, as well as their families.

The Covenant has two key principles, both of which  the Trust is committed to adhering to:

1. The Armed Forces community should not face disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services.
2. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

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Please tell us if you, or your spouse/partner, have ever served in the UK armed forces so we can best support your care needs.

Being identified as a veteran in your NHS medical notes will ensure you are able to access specific veterans’ health services, such as those for mental health, hearing loss, limb amputation and wheelchairs.

Available Support:

Op COURAGE: the Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service

Op COURAGE is an NHS mental health specialist service designed to help serving personnel due to leave the military, reservists, armed forces veterans and their families. The service supported by trained professionals who are from, or have experience of working with, the Armed Forces community.

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

It does not matter how long ago you left the armed forces or how long you served for. You can contact Op COURAGE even if you left many years ago.

You can also contact Op COURAGE if you’re still serving but have a discharge date.

You can contact the service in many ways, including:

• directly getting in touch yourself, or through a family member or friend
• asking a GP or other healthcare representative to refer you
• asking a charity to refer you

To access the service, call 0300 323 0137 or email mevs.mhm@nhs.net

Op RESTORE: The Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service

The Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service is an NHS service that provides specialist care and treatment to veterans who have physical health problems. You can access Op RESTORE support through a referral by your GP.

Op RESTORE can support you:

• if you have a physical health problem of any type or severity
• if your physical health problem is a result of your time in service
• no matter when your physical health problem first appeared
• no matter when you left the armed forces
• if you live in England and are registered with a GP practice in England

NHS Armed Forces Health Podcast

For more information about local services for veterans, please visit:

Doncaster – www.yourlifedoncaster.co.uk/ArmedForces

Bassetlaw – https://www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/community-and-living/support-for-armed-forces-personnel/

To learn more about the Veterans Covenant Hospital Alliance and what it means for NHS trusts to be Veteran Aware, please visit https://veteranaware.nhs.uk/

Further resources and information can be downloaded here.

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