Herefordshire’s Westfield Surgery supports fast-tracking of treatment for veterans

September 2, 2026

Veterans often require extra healthcare support due to Service-related injuries.

What was the situation?

Westfield Surgery in Leominster, Herefordshire, recognised that some veterans may have specific health and wellbeing needs linked to their Service, such as experiencing a Service-related injury. They also noticed that these needs may not always be identified through standard patient registration and care processes. They wanted to improve the support they provide to veterans.

What was done to help?

Westfield Surgery became accredited as a ‘veteran-friendly’ GP practice. It introduced a range of measures to better support Armed Forces patients. The surgery was better able to determine need, particularly recognising when a patient’s injuries related to their Service in the Armed Forces. This enabled the surgery to support these veterans through fast-tracking of NHS treatment, so they did not need to wait as long on a waiting list.

The surgery also has:

• A nominated clinical lead for veteran health
• Put lonely veterans in touch with appropriate social contacts
• Established links with local military charities and support agencies
• Encouraged veterans to identify as such on the surgery’s systems
• Developed training to ensure continued awareness by its staff of the specific needs of the Armed Forces Community, and of the specific care pathways available to veterans.

What made this special provision?

The veterans who injured themselves through their Service in the Armed Forces are among those sacrificing the most. Their sacrifice made it appropriate for the surgery to consider special provision for them.

The surgery’s support counted as special provision, as, to recognise their sacrifice, it supported them through fast-tracking of NHS treatment.

What was the outcome?

Westfield Surgery was able to provide veterans with catered support and care by identifying veterans; supporting them with Service-related injuries; and improving awareness. This helped them to get care that acknowledged their Service.

Wider information

You can read more widely about:

• Covenant disadvantage and special provision (the two types of case study in this database)
• Covenant support for the Armed Forces community: Healthcare
• How NHS bodies can support the Armed Forces community and implement the Covenant

Disclaimer: This case study is part of the Covenant case study database. MOD has developed the database to illustrate examples of good practice for organisations in scope of the Covenant. It serves as a guide for effective Covenant delivery, offering practical insights into achieving fairness for the Armed Forces community. Delivery of the Covenant may vary across the UK. This means there is no guarantee the solution outlined in this case study is available in your area.