The Armed Forces Act 2021 names GP Practices as one of the relevant bodies that must show ‘Due Regard’ in line with the Covenant to the Armed Forces community. This can be achieved in part by being a ‘Veteran Friendly’ GP Practice; this is supported by the evidence of ensuring understanding and access to the right services.
GP Practices provide health services for the Veterans, Reservists and Service families who are registered with them. The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) is working with NHS England and NHS Improvement to accredit GP practices as ‘Veteran Friendly’.
As a veteran friendly accredited GP practice, we will;
- Ask patients registering with us if they or anyone in their immediate family has ever served in His Majesty’s Armed Forces.
- Code it onto our computer system.
- We have a clinical lead on veterans in the surgery, supported by an administrative role.
- Our clinical and administrative lead undertake dedicated training.
Accreditation is valid for 3 years and once achieved, this will mean that GP practices will be able to improve the identification and coding of these individuals, with a linked aim of further increasing the understanding of their health requirements and improving their care and treatment.