Veterans Services
Eastwick Park Medical Centre has been accredited as an armed forces veteran friendly GP practice.
This means that we have a dedicated clinician, who has a specialist knowledge of service-related health condition and Veteran specific health services. This is important in helping Veterans to get the best care and treatment.
If you are a Veteran, please let a member of the practice team know to help ensure you are getting the best possible care.
Do you know or are you a military veteran?
The Veteran’s Gateway is the first point of contact for veterans seeking support, they put veterans and their families in touch with the organisations best placed to help with the information, advice and support they need – from healthcare and housing to employability, finances, personal relationships and more.
There is a huge network of organisations supporting the Armed Forces community, so finding the right one for your needs can be tricky, they make it quick and easy by being your first point of contact for whatever support you need, whether you are based in the UK or abroad.
Who is part of Veterans’ Gateway?
Veterans’ Gateway is made up of a consortium of organisations and Armed Forces charities, including The Royal British Legion, SSAFA – the Armed Forces charity, Poppyscotland, Combat Stress and Connect Assist.
Our connection with additional key referral partners and information organisations – both within and outside the Armed Forces sector – means we can get you to the right organisation who can help.
Get in touch
- You can speak to one of the team by phone or email who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to put you in touch with the help you need or direct you to the information you are looking for.
- Call 0808 802 1212 – Speak to an advisor in our contact centre or see the website https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk/partnersfor more information.
Veteran Medical Fund
The Royal British Legion has introduced a new Veterans Medical Funds programme providing support for veterans with hearing loss and serious physical injury.
Both funds described below will be available to veterans across the UK.
Veteran Hearing fund
The Veterans Hearing Fund (VHF) provides support to veterans who acquired hearing loss during Service where there is a wellbeing need that cannot be met through statutory services (e.g., the NHS).
There are two stages to the application process. The first stage assesses eligibility and will require applicants to submit a copy of Service medical records which must include audiometry data. If the applicant is in receipt of a War Pension or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme Award, and this was awarded due to hearing loss, then they can submit a copy of their documentation confirming this in lieu of Service medical records. The second stage will be completed and submitted by an audiologist who will agree what equipment or treatments would help improve your quality of life. Note that VHF will not replace statutory support – but add to it.
VHF may fund hearing aids, peripherals or therapies (e.g., lip reading).
Please note that the VHF is unable to reimburse applicants for previously purchased equipment.
To apply, please download and complete a VHF eligibility application form. To request a form to be sent to you by post, please call our Contact Centre on 0808 802 8080 (free) or email medicalfunds@britishlegion.org.uk
Blind veterans UK
We want to make applying for support either for yourself, or on behalf of someone else, as simple as possible. Just follow these few steps and you’ll be well on your way to joining our other 4,000 veteran beneficiaries.
How to apply:
Call us free on 0800 389 7979, complete our application form requestor download our application form
Op Courage
Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service
After serving in the Armed Forces, some people find it hard to adjust to civvy street. If you’re struggling with your mental health and wellbeing, Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service is here to help.
Op COURAGE is an NHS service in England that’s been developed with people who’ve served in the Armed Forces and experienced mental ill-health. Every member of staff within the service is either from the Armed Forces or has experience of working with the military community. In partnership with Armed Forces charities and NHS services, the staff at Op COURAGE provide specialist care, support and treatment for those due to leave the military, reservists and those who’ve served. Since its launch in 2017, the service has helped nearly 30,000 veterans.
What does Op COURAGE offer?
Op COURAGE provides a range of specialist support and treatment, depending on the needs of the individual – there’s no ‘one size fits all’. This might include helping you to recognise and treat early signs of mental ill health, as well as providing care and support for more advanced mental health conditions and psychological trauma.
In addition, the service provides support and treatment for a range of addictions, such as alcohol and drug misuse and gambling, and can refer you to other NHS services if needed. Op COURAGE also works with charities and local organisations to provide support for your wider health and wellbeing needs, which may include help with housing, relationships, finances and employment.
We know that when someone is unwell it may affect the rest of the family, so Op COURAGE can support them access help and care too.
You can contact Op COURAGE directly to make an appointment or ask someone else, such as a family member, friend, charity or health professional to make it for you. You can also ask your GP to refer you, but you don’t have to go through your GP to get an appointment. For details of your local service, visit nhs.uk/opcourage.
Veteran Hubs & Drop in Centres
Veterans' Hubs
These are relaxed places for veterans to drop in and share a cup of tea and the company of others who have served. They also provide a way to gain advice, support and services under one roof. www.surreycc.gov.uk/people-and-community/armed-forces/forces-connect-south-east/veterans-hubs-project
ASDIC Association of Armed Forces Drop In centres
ASDIC represents and links veterans’ Drop-Ins across the country. Drop-Ins offer a variety of welfare and mental health support, together with comradeship and a sense of wellbeing, to the ex-military community and their families.www.asdic.org.uk/member-directory/
Armed Forces Breakfast Clubs are a group of Veterans and Serving Members of Her Majesties Armed Forces. Veterans' Breakfast Clubs meet around the country and overseas. The ethos is to provide mutual support www.afvbc.net/
Veterans Covenant Service
Our Veterans Covenant Service is a broad service that aims to ensure we support the needs of veterans and their families, and that we are in line with the NHS commitment to the Armed Forces Community.
The Veteran Covenant Service are here to:
· Provide veterans under the care of our secondary services with an expert and dedicated service to help them prepare for discharge to support their long-term recovery.
· Help make veterans and their families aware of the relevant NHS services, and third sector providers that can provide them with care and support.
· Ensure our Surrey and Borders Partnership colleagues are involved in supporting veterans and their families, and have access to training to help them understand the needs of people from the Armed Forced Community.
Helping you to plan for discharge from our services
Our Veterans Covenant Service can support veterans under the care of our secondary services as they prepare for discharge. We will work alongside our secondary care teams to provide veterans with expert and dedicated support. The aim is to ensure the needs of veterans are met and they receive guidance and support to help them with their continued recovery after discharge.
Published on 27 June 2024