Armed Forces Health and Wellbeing
We are proud to support the Armed Forces community and can help with access to health and social care services across Somerset
Armed Forces - Health and Wellbeing
NHS Somerset signed the Armed Forces Covenant in May 2023 and recognises the value and service of the whole Armed Forces community, both serving, families, veterans and reservists.
Within Somerset we have a large Armed Forces community population and recognise that you may have specific needs or queries. We hope that you will find the information you require here, but if not then email somicb.armedforces@nhs.net.
In early 2021 NHS England published ‘Healthcare for the Armed Forces Community: a forward view’. This sets out NHS England’s nine commitments to improve healthcare services for this community and underpins our work here at NHS Somerset.
What is available to the Armed Forces community within Somerset?
Veteran Friendly Accredited GP Surgeries – Within Somerset we have a number of surgeries who have this accreditation. This means that someone within the surgery has a particular interest in the needs of the Armed Forces and takes responsibility for keeping the rest of the surgery staff updated with initiatives and services available.
Specific Armed Forces Services - There are a number of services which are specifically designed for veterans, details of these can be found below:
Armed Forces Hubs in Somerset
Based at Taunton and South Somerset the hubs are open to all members of the Armed Forces community including those serving, their families and veterans.
Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service provides a broad range of specialist mental health and wellbeing care and support for Service leavers, reservists, veterans and their families. Individuals can self-refer to their local service or ask a healthcare professional, charity, family member or friend to do this for them.
Op RESTORE: The Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service
Op RESTORE provides care and treatment to those with a Service-attributable physical health condition. Located in 13 major trauma centres (Plymouth, Oxford, London (three centres), Birmingham, Nottingham, Liverpool, Leeds, Cambridge, Brighton and Middlesbrough), with links to four NHS trusts, the network works closely with Defence Medical Services, national centres of clinical expertise, Op COURAGE and military charities, to provide holistic care. Access to Op RESTORE requires a GP referral by emailing imperial.oprestore@nhs.net.
Op NOVA: Supporting Veterans in the Justice System
Op NOVA provides one to one non clinical support to veterans who are at risk of being arrested or already have been, are due to leave prison or have been released from prison. Veterans accessing the service have access to a range of practical and emotional help, along with being supported by an expert case worker.
Op Fortitude – is a new dedicated referral pathway for homeless veterans including those sleeping on the streets. The hotline number for this service is 0800 952 0774 or complete the referral form.
The VPP provides funding on a named veteran basis to NHS Disablement Service Centres (DSC) to ensure that veterans who have service attributable limb loss can access high quality prosthetics regardless of which DSC they attend. More information here.
IPC4V provides a personalised care approach for serving personnel who have complex and enduring, service attributable physical, neurological and mental health conditions.. It provides a framework for effectively planning and delivering personalised care to support an improved discharge planning process from the military. This means that all organisations involved in supporting the individual are brought together at an earlier point in the care pathway, ensuring the appropriate arrangements are in place as they transition to civilian life.
Veterans with a complex and life-long health condition may be eligible for the veterans personalised care programme. Eligible individuals will have a single personalised care plan for all their health and wellbeing needs that is developed with them and a range of organisations, including health and social care and military charities. To apply, individuals should contact NHS Somerset.
