Covenant support for Service leavers and Veterans: Healthcare
In healthcare, Covenant support for Service leavers and Veterans includes the following:
“I don’t know about the NHS services available, as the Armed Forces have always provided me with healthcare”
Find out about:
- NHS Step-by-step guide for service leavers
- NHS information and support for veterans and service leavers
- a summary of NHS support to veterans
- Scottish Government Armed Forces and Veterans Healthcare
- Veterans NHS Wales
- Looking after our Armed Forces provides guidance from MOD on healthcare support
“I have a mental health issue arising from Service”
Through Op COURAGE: the Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service, the NHS provides dedicated mental health services across England. It offers a range of treatments and support for veterans and those due to be discharged from the Armed Forces. This includes recognising the early signs of mental health problems and providing access to early treatment and support, as well as therapeutic treatment for complex mental health difficulties and psychological trauma. These services work closely with a range of organisations to provide a complete package of care to help patients enjoy a healthy life.
GOV.UK also provides mental health guidance for former Service personnel. The support available also includes Togetherall (previously known as the Big White Wall), a mental health support service. Also, HeadFit for Life is a mental fitness tool designed specifically for the Armed Forces community.
“I have a health issue arising from Service. What is the NHS’s priority treatment commitment?”
Members of the Armed Forces Community might suffer physical or mental injuries caused by the unique obligations and sacrifices of danger and stress. The prioritisation of their care by healthcare providers is always subject to clinical need and will be clinically determined. Members of the Armed Forces Community are not entitled to jump the queue ahead of someone with a higher clinical need. However, there is a commitment that veterans in Great Britain may be considered for priority access to NHS services providing focused treatment for conditions arising from their Service, compared to non-Service patients with the same level of clinical need. This is a clinical decision made by the relevant physician. More information about prioritisation, and veteran-specific services through the NHS, is available for England, Wales and Scotland.
“I have a hearing issue arising from Service”
The Royal British Legion has administered the Veterans Hearing Fund on behalf of HM Treasury since 2015. It ensures that those whose hearing loss was acquired during their service were able to receive hearing devices, peripherals and therapies that are not available through the NHS.
“I have concerns about my experience of Mefloquine during Service”
The Mefloquine Single Point of Contact, launched September 2016, is for current and former service personnel who have concerns about their experience of Mefloquine (commercially known as Lariam). This service provides information and signposting to a range of services to address their concerns.
Further information
- The Ministry of Defence’s Defence people mental health and wellbeing strategy 2017 to 2022. This provided a renewed focus on promotion of mental health wellbeing, and the prevention of mental ill health for serving personnel, veterans, families and MOD civil servants.
- The Ministry of Defence’s Defence People Health and Wellbeing Strategy – 2022 to 2027. This sets out the vision for all Defence People to be in a state of positive physical, mental and social health and wellbeing.
- NHS England’s Healthcare for the Armed Forces community: a forward view
