Armed Forces Veteran? Posted or Updated on 18 Dec 2024

Mountwood Surgery very recently became an Armed Forces veteran-friendly accredited GP practice, because the practice wanted to demonstrate our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.  This is a promise from the nation to those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly and do not suffer disadvantage because of their Service.

From Friday 20th December, Mountwood Surgery will be reaching out to patients above a specific age, who may not be recorded on our patient record system as veterans. Communication will be via email primarily (where email addresses are known to the practice) or via text message (where mobile numbers are known), to allow patients who have served in the Armed Forces to confirm their veteran status.  

Ensuring that veteran patients are identified by a practice is important because:

·    7% of households have a veteran

·    Veterans are more likely to have long-term illness, disability and mental health problems

·   Veterans are often uncomfortable with seeking help

Telling us if you are a military veteran will make sure you are offered the support and assistance you may need, now or in the future, as a result of your service. 

We have a ‘Veteran Friendly GP Practice’ page on our website where we hope to include more information for veterans, with links to sources of further information and support:

https://www.mountwoodsurgery.co.uk/pages/Veteran-Friendly-GP-Practice

Thank you taking the time to read this communication, and if you are a veteran, thank you for your service.