Armed Forces Community

If you’ve served in the UK Armed Forces - as a regular or reservist - for at least one day, you are recognised as a veteran and can access dedicated NHS services tailored to your needs.

Transitioning to civilian life, including NHS healthcare, can be challenging. Taking early steps helps make the process smoother.

What to do:

Register with a GP as soon as possible after leaving service.
Tell your GP you're a veteran or service leaver so it can be recorded.
Access specialist support, such as:
- Op COURAGE – Mental health and wellbeing service
- Priority treatment for service-related conditions (based on clinical need)
- Integrated Personal Commissioning for Veterans (IPC4V)

Your GP is your gateway to the right care and support.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) provides most healthcare for serving personnel and mobilised reservists, primarily through Defence Medical Services (DMS) in the UK and overseas.

If you're temporarily unable to access DMS care (e.g. due to location), you can register as a temporary resident with an NHS GP for up to 3 months. Your DMS GP remains your main GP, and you should return to DMS care as soon as possible.

In Dorset, DMS services are generally accessible, but temporary NHS GP registration is available if needed.

If you're a non-mobilised reservist, register with an NHS GP as usual. Please:

Inform your GP that you’re a reservist.
Update them if you leave service so your status can be changed to veteran, ensuring continued support.

Family members and carers of serving personnel, reservists, and veterans play a vital role in the Armed Forces community and may face unique challenges.

If you’re a family member of someone currently serving (regular or mobilised reservist), register with an NHS GP as usual and let them know your connection so it can be recorded. This helps address any healthcare impacts from frequent moves or deployment-related stress.

If you’re a family member of a veteran, you may also be entitled to support. Inform your GP so they can offer appropriate guidance and connect you to local or national Armed Forces family services.

If you are a carer for a serving member, reservist, or veteran - whether partner, relative, or friend - register with a GP and identify yourself as a carer. This allows access to extra support like health checks, mental health services, and social care referrals.

We recognise the pressures you may face and are here to support you.

Tell Your GP You’re Part of the Armed Forces Community

Letting your GP know you are a member of the Armed Forces community — whether you are serving, a reservist, a veteran, a service leaver, or a family member or carer — is important. This information helps ensure you receive the right care and access to specialist services designed to meet your unique needs.

If you are a service leaver, informing your GP early supports a smoother transition from military to civilian healthcare. Regardless of when you left the Armed Forces, it’s important to let your GP know so your health records can be updated and you can access the support available to you.

When registering or during a routine appointment, simply inform your GP practice of your military connection. They will update your health records accordingly and can:

Offer personalised health and wellbeing support
Connect you to specialist Armed Forces services like mental health or rehabilitation
Ensure you receive priority care for service-related conditions when needed

Being open with your GP about your status means your healthcare team can better understand your circumstances and provide the most appropriate care and support.

For more detailed information and practical advice on transitioning from military to civilian healthcare, you can visit the NHS Service Leavers Guide. It offers helpful resources and guidance to support you through every step of leaving the Armed Forces and accessing the care you need. Visit: NHS Service Leavers Guide.

Veteran Friendly Accredited GP Practices

All our practices are proud to be Veteran Friendly Accredited, meaning they are specially trained to understand the unique needs of veterans and the Armed Forces community. This accreditation ensures you receive respectful, knowledgeable care and access to the support you deserve.

A Veteran Friendly accredited GP practice actively supports veterans and their families by:

Asking new patients if they or immediate family have served in His Majesty’s Armed Forces and coding this in their records.
Having a dedicated clinical lead for veterans, who may be a nurse, paramedic, or GP, trained to stay informed on the latest Armed Forces health research and policy.
Ensuring the clinical lead provides advice and support to staff and may see veterans directly.
Maintaining a Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating of ‘Good’ or higher.

For more information, visit Armed Forces Network – Veteran Friendly GP Practices.

Our Commitment as a Primary Care Network

Our PCN is working collaboratively with NHS Dorset, The Veterans Hub Weymouth, Dorset County Hospital, Dorset Council, and veteran patients themselves to better identify and support the Armed Forces community. Key initiatives include an identification campaign to ensure veterans and service leavers are recognised, developing clear care pathways for those identified, providing helpful resources, and delivering dedicated staff training. Through these efforts, we aim to improve access, understanding, and the quality of care for all members of the Armed Forces community.

Support

Page last reviewed: 30 June 2025
Page created: 30 June 2025