GPS urged to train to treat Forces veterans
Pilot scheme for doctors to become aware of needs of former soldiers will be launched nationwide
MILITARY veterans are to be offered extra help from the National Health Service under a countrywide scheme to help them adjust to civilian life.
GPS are signing up to become “veteran friendly” under the plan, which aims to identify former members of the Armed Forces and ensure support is available. The scheme, backed by NHS England and the Royal College of General Practitioners, is being rolled out nationally following a pilot scheme involving 90 doctors’ practices in the West Midlands.
It comes after a survey of veterans last year found a quarter have had suicidal thoughts and more than two in five have felt lonely or isolated. The research by Yougov into more than 2,000 veterans indicated higher levels of mental health issues than the population as a whole.
Gemma Morgan, an army veteran, told The Daily Telegraph at the time: “The military puts huge effort into creating a separate society, a separate fighting force, for good operational
‘No matter where a veteran lives in the country, they will have access to a GP who understands their needs’
reasons, but sometimes the real world can be more complicated and there is often a reverse culture shock.”
Dr Mike Brookes, a North Yorkshire GP who served in Iraq, came up with the idea when a patient told him that he had specifically joined his practice so he could see someone who would understand his issues.
“It made me reflect on a potential unmet need for our veterans,” he said. “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 become accredited, doctors in surgeries need to undertake dedicated training, introduce a system which identifies former members of the Armed Forces, and have a lead person responsible for veterans.
Dr Jonathan Leach, a GP who served in the Army for 25 years and chairs the NHS England Armed Forces Clinical Reference Group, called on GPS across the country to sign up.
He said: “We are committed to providing veterans with a seamless, high quality service when it comes to their health needs. We are therefore urging every GP practice to sign up to this important scheme.”
Prof Helen Stokes-lampard, chairman 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.”