Accredited Veteran Friendly GP Practice
Woodbrook Medical Centre is an accredited Veteran Friendly GP Practice.
Patient charter
Our commitment to you as a veteran of the UK Armed Forces.
The NHS is here to help improve your health and wellbeing and keep you mentally and physically well. It is also here to help you get better when you are ill and, when you cannot fully recover, to stay as well as you can until the end of your life.
This means you can expect the following from us:
- To have a clinical lead for veteran health, this is Dr Krishan Patel.
- We will ask all patients if they have served in the UK Armed Forces (as a regular or a reservist). If you have, we will note this in your medical record, with your permission.
- We will ask you to share details of your time in service to help us assess the best support and treatment for you.
- The information you share will be kept confidential and we will always speak to you before sharing this with other services you may be referred to.
- You can make an appointment to see our clinical lead for veteran's health. This person has a comprehensive understanding on the Armed Forces, health conditions linked to service and the dedicated support you can access.
- The NHS has a duty to support the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant. This means that you will get priority treatment for any medical condition which has been caused by your service, subject to the clinical needs of other patients.
- We will let you know what choices are available for your care and treatment and help you to make informed decisions on what to do.
- Where appropriate and with your consent, we can refer you to dedicated veterans' health services.
- If you need to be seen by another service, we will let them know you are a veteran and make sure they have an understanding of your health and wellbeing needs, so you don't have to keep repeating your 'personal story'.
- We can give advice and support to your loved ones who may be affected by your health conditions.
- We will investigate any issues and complaints that you may have about your care. If you have any concerns about the service we offer, please speak to one of the practice team.
For information on health services for the Armed Forces community, please visit the NHS website at www.nhs.uk/armedforceshealth
Support services for the Armed Forces community
Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service:
Op COURAGE is for service leavers, reservists, veterans' and their families, who can contact the service direct, or ask a GP, charity or someone else, such as a family member or friend, to refer them.
For further information, including contact details for the service in your region, visit: www.nhs.uk/opcourage
Veterans Trauma Network (VTN):
VTN is for veterans who have physical health problems which have been caused from their time in the Armed Forces.
Located in a number of major trauma centres across England, the VTN works closely with DMS, Op COURAGE, as well as military charities, to provide specialist care and treatment.
Help for Heroes
Provide Veterans with carefully tailored and holistic support for their physical and mental health, along with their welfare and social needs.
https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/
Combat Stress: For Veterans mental health
Provide clinical treatment and support for Veterans from the British Armed Forces, with a focus on those with some of the most complex mental health issues.
https://combatstress.org.uk/
Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion is here to help members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, Veterans' and their families. They support serving and ex-serving personnel all year round, every day of the week.
https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/