This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
GP practices to become ‘veteran friendly’
A new national scheme to improve medical care and treatment for former members of the armed services has been backed by NHS England and the Royal College of GPs.
Dr Mike Brookes, who served in Iraq before becoming GP in North Yorkshire, came up with the idea when a patient told him that he had specifically joined his practice to see someone who could understand his needs as a veteran. As a result, practices can now qualify for veteran friendly status by offering extra support for ex-military personnel who may face additional challenges when they return to civilian life.
Called the Military Veteran Aware Accreditation, the scheme has now been adopted by NHS England and the Royal College of GPs as a nationwide initiative so that family doctors can better identify and treat veterans.
Following a successful pilot in the West Midlands, the nationwide rollout will be a phased approach and it is hoped that over the next few years every veteran will receive the best possible NHS care from their GP, regardless of where they live.
Dr Mike Brookes said: “It made me reflect on a potential unmet need for our veterans. I could see how pivotal a GP practice could be at identifying ex-service personnel to help ensure they receive care and treatment that is considerate of their time in the armed forces. It is great to think that a conversation with a patient at a GP practice in the Dales could lead to a national project to improve veterans’ health.”
Helen Stokes-Lampard, chair of the Royal College of GPs said: “Veterans often have unique health needs, and this new scheme is a fantastic way of ensuring that when they visit their GP, for whatever reason, these needs are flagged up, considered and accommodated. It’s great to see successful local initiatives being rolled out nationally so that they can benefit patients across the country. I’m incredibly proud of the College’s Midland Faculty, of which I am a member, for identifying a good idea, turning it into reality and taking the lead on this.”
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