Information for Veterans and Armed Forces Families attending Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

We at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are a member of the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance. This means we are committed to providing quality NHS care for people who serve, or have served, in the UK Armed Forces and their families. This page explains why this is important to us and how serving in the UK Armed Forces can enable you and your family to have easier access to specific health services for veterans.

Improving care for veterans across the NHS
What you can expect from us
Referral pathways for veterans
Charities who support veterans and their families

Improving care for veterans across the NHS

If you or your spouse/partner have ever served in the UK Armed Forces, please let a member of staff know.

In line with the Armed Forces Covenant, being identified as a member of the Armed Forces family you are able to access specific health services for veterans. Such as those for mental, physical health and prosthetics etc.

Members of the Armed Forces family may be entitled to priority access to NHS care (including hospital, primary or community care) especially for service-related conditions. This is always subject to clinical need but does not entitle you to go ahead of someone with a higher clinical need.

Information for Veterans and Armed Forces Families

What you can expect from us

We support the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant Duty, by identifying and supporting Veterans and Armed Forces families.
We recognise the unique obligations and sacrifices made by HM Armed Forces and aim to provide the appropriate healthcare to meet the needs of those who have become ill or injured, as a result of their time in service.
We have educated and trained all relevant staff to identify and respond to Veterans’ needs.
We have Veteran and Armed Forces Community Advocates who will signpost our patients to health, welfare and social support, please ask to be referred if needed.
Our Advocacy team can be contacted by email at ghn-tr.ghtafa@nhs.net or call 07977 234508
We support the UK Armed Forces community as an employer.
We listen to the feedback from our Veterans and Armed Forces families to improve our services.

Referral pathways for veterans

Op RESTORE:

Formerly the Veterans Trauma Network, is the Veterans physical health and wellbeing service.

Email: imperial.oprestore@nhs.net (GP referral only)

Op COURAGE:

Veterans mental health and wellbeing service.

Tel: 0300 034 9986

Email mevs.mhm@nhs.net or visit

www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-community/mental-health/veterans-reservists/

Op NOVA:

Provides support for veterans who are in contact with the justice system, enabling them to access the services they need.

Tel: 0800 917 7299

Email opnova@forcesemployment.org.uk or visit

www.forcesemployment.org.uk/programmes/op-nova/

Op FORTITUDE:

The pathway for homeless veterans, or for veterans about to be made homeless.

Tel: 0800 952 0774 or visit the secure web portal at www.riv.org.uk/opfortitude

Veterans UK:

Provides compensation, pension and welfare support to serving personnel and veterans and facilitates access to appropriate support from other government departments, local authorities, independent bodies and the charity sector.

Tel: 0808 1914 218

Email veterans-uk@mod.gov.uk or visit

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/veterans-uk