Veteran friendly GP practice

Lambert Medical Centre is an accredited Veteran Friendly GP Practice.

We are proud to support our Armed Forces community and being Accredited shows that we are able to deliver the best possible care and treatment for patients who have served in the armed forces.

As a Veteran Friendly GP Practice we:

  • Have a clinical lead for veteran health
  • Ask patients ‘Have you served?’ to identify veteran patients
  • Support veteran patients to access dedicated health services
  • Undertake specialist training to meet the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant

Let a member of staff know if you, or your spouse/partner, have ever served in the UK armed forces so that we can best support your care needs.

The Veteran Friendly Practices accreditation scheme is run by the Royal College of General Practitioners in partnership with NHS England and NHS Improvement.

You can find out further information and support by visiting the Royal College of General Practitioners website here.

Armed Forces Veterans

Veterans are people who have served at least 1 day in the Royal Navy, Army or Air Force. Their experiences and adjusting to civilian life can create anxiety and depression or lead to physical effects such as joint issues.

After leaving the armed forces, you can access specific services if related to your time serving.

Please let the team know either at reception or during your appointment that you are a veteran so it can be recorded on your notes and enable you to access any available specialist services.

OpCourageVeterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance

What is OpCourage?

OpCourage is a new overarching name for the following veterans mental health services:

  • The Veterans Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service (TILS)
  • The Veterans Mental Health Complex Treatment Service (CTS)
  • The Veterans Mental Health High Intensity Service (HITS)

The name was created to make it easier for Veterans and those leaving the military to find help.

What OpCourage can do for you?

  • Support armed forces families affected by mental health problems, including helping you access local services
  • Help you recognise and treat early signs of mental health problems as well as more advanced mental health conditions and psychological trauma
  • Help you to access other NHS mental health services if you need them, such as finding an NHS psychological therapies service (IAPT) and eating disorder services
  • Help you to get in touch with charities and local organisations who can support your wider health and wellbeing needs, such as housing, relationships, finances, employment, drug and alcohol misuse and social support

You will speak to staff who are from the armed services community or are experienced in working with veterans. You must be able to provide your service number.

Who OpCourage can help?

To receive support from OpCourage you must be:

  • Be resident in England and have served in the Armed Forces for at least one day.
  • Be registered with a GP practice in England or be willing and eligible to register with a GP practice
  • Provide your service Military Number.

Contacting OpCourage

The service can be contacted in many ways, including:

  • Directly getting touch yourself, or through a family member or friend.
  • Asking a GP to refer you.
  • Asking a charity to refer you.

North England: Call 0800 652 2867 or email [email protected]

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