Medical Practices
GP Surgeries and the NHS
Getting registered with a GP should be a priority when you leave the military or move to a new area. You should ensure that your GP registers you as a serving member of the Forces, a Veteran, or a family member so that they can better support you.
Your medical records should transfer over when you register with a new practice but it is worth noting that this can take some time.
When looking for a GP surgery, we recommend that you look out for those with the Veteran Aware accreditation.
The NHS more widely is committed to the Armed Forces Covenant and provides national services to support our Armed Forces Community. It is worth noting that the NHS definition of a Veteran differs slightly to the Covenant, as it also includes Merchant Seafarers and any civilians who crewed vessels that supported military operations.
The Northampton General NHS Trust is Veteran Aware accredited, and they have specialist Armed Forces champions throughout the hospital and systems in place to identify the Armed Forces Community. If you are admitted to hospital for any reason, you should make them aware that you are a member of the Armed Forces Community.
Dentists
It can be challenging to register with a dental practice and you may potentially have to wait longer and travel further for an NHS practice. All practices should be able to provide the treatment and services that you need and both private and NHS clinics will cost money.
When looking for a GP surgery, we recommend that you look out for those with the Veteran Aware accreditation.
The NHS more widely is committed to the Armed Forces Covenant and provides national services to support our Armed Forces Community. It is worth noting that the NHS definition of a Veteran differs slightly to the Covenant, as it also includes Merchant Seafarers and any civilians who crewed vessels that supported military operations.
The Northampton General NHS Trust is Veteran Aware accredited, and they have specialist Armed Forces champions throughout the hospital and systems in place to identify the Armed Forces Community. If you are admitted to hospital for any reason, you should make them aware that you are a member of the Armed Forces Community.
NHS and the Armed Forces Covenant
Several local health organisations in the county are active members of the Northamptonshire Armed Forces Covenant Partnership including Northampton General Hospital, the Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board, the Defence Medical Welfare Service (based at NGH), Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust and St Andrew’s Healthcare. Find out more on the local partners page.
Healthcare is one of the areas covered by the Armed Forces Covenant duty, and the Covenant is there to support you in some instances. In some cases where your injury was caused directly by your service, a GP may be able to fast track you through for treatment and ensure those they refer you to aware aware of your military history.
If you are on the waiting list in one area of the country for treatment and are posted elsewhere, your position on the new waiting list should match where you have just left. This should ensure that you are not disadvantaged by your or your spouse’s service.
Medical staff cannot signpost you appropriately if they do not know that you are serving, have served or are the spouse or child of someone who is.