NHS Education for Scotland develops training to improve GPs’ knowledge of Armed Forces issues

August 6, 2026

GPs did not always have an understanding of how Service life impacts members of the Armed Forces community. 

What was the situation?

Members of the Armed Forces community can experience health conditions linked to Service life. However, NHS Education for Scotland identified that frontline healthcare practitioners were not always aware of the impact of Service. This can make it more difficult for them to recognise and respond to the needs of the Armed Forces.

What made this Covenant disadvantage?

Due to the nature of Service life, members of the Armed Forces community can have different health needs to civilians. If healthcare practitioners have limited awareness of this, members of the Armed Forces community may be less likely than civilians to receive the treatment they need.

What was done to help?

NHS Education for Scotland worked with NHS Highland and the Department for Community Mental Health to develop a four-hour online training session for final-year trainee GPs. The training covered the journey of a Service person through the Defence and NHS medical systems; the barriers and challenges potentially facing veterans and Service families; and the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant. The training also included question and answer sessions; a GPs’ toolkit; links to research hubs; and papers on the Armed Forces community healthcare issues, such as non-freezing cold injury.

What was the outcome?

Trainee GPs were able to increase their awareness and understanding of the Armed Forces community. The feedback from the participants was positive, with many noting that these topics had not been covered during medical school or GP training. Healthcare practitioners were better placed to recognise and respond to the needs of the Armed Forces community.

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.