At Harborne Medical, we recognise that military personnel put themselves in harm’s way in the service of their country. We strive to ensure that they experience no disadvantage in accessing timely, comprehensive and effective healthcare.
All veterans are entitled to priority access to NHS care for conditions associated with their military service. However, this does not allow you to jump ahead of someone with a higher clinical need. Please let us know if you are a veteran so that we can keep this information on your records.
The NHS offers support to veterans of the armed forces. https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-community/
Combat Stress
Combat Stress offers a range of mental health treatment and support services to veterans. Please phone 0800 138 1619, text 07537 404 719 or email combat.stress@rethink.org
Big White Wall
A charity providing safe, anonymous, round-the-clock online support, with trained counsellors available at all times. There’s a supportive community and lots of resources that all armed forces personnel, veterans and their families can use at any time. See their website.
There are also many general services available for mental health support.
Op RESTORE (previously known as the Veterans Trauma Network)
The Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service is an NHS service that supports individuals who have served in, or are leaving, the UK Armed Forces and have continuing, physical health injuries and related medical problems attributed to their time in the Armed Forces. It is hosted at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London.
If you have a physical health injury and related medical problems attributable to your time in Service, Op RESTORE can help by:
- ensuring you can access the right care and support
- making sure you are treated by people who understand the military and specialise in the type of physical injury and related medical problems you may have
- putting together a care plan with you shaped around your specific physical care needs
- working with Op COURAGE should you need support for your mental health and wellbeing
- supporting you and your family access additional help where needed from Armed Forces charities whom we work in partnership with.
Hepatitis C testing for veterans
Several factors may put veterans at higher risk of HCV. You can request a free test if you are concerned.
Style for Soldiers
This organisation provides veterans with well fitting clothing to wear for interviews and formal occasions to help with confidence and morale. See their website.
Blind Veterans
Blind Veterans UK helps ex-Service men and women of every generation rebuild their lives after sight loss. They provide support from isolation and help with tasks such as going to the shops or even pick up a phone to speak to a friendly voice. For those who can’t see, it often leads to losing your self-belief, and – even worse – your sense of belonging.
NHS prosthetic services for veterans
For more information about prosthetic services available, please contact bsoprosthetics@blesma.org or call 020 8548 7080.
Help for Heroes
The Help for Heroes charity provides direct practical support to wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans, and their families.
SSAFA
This organisation provides comprehensive support for veterans and their families. Please see their website for more details.
For more information about NHS services for military personnel, please see this link
