We, at Upton Village Surgery are proud to be an accredited Veteran Friendly GP Practice. 

As a Veteran Friendly GP Practice we:

• Have a clinical lead for veteran health (Dr Ashleigh Milner) 
• Ask patients 'Have you served in the Armed Forces?' on registration at the practice to help identify veteran patients
• Support veteran patients to access dedicated health services
• Undertake regular traning and development to meet the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant and better understand the needs of veteran patients

If you are a veteran patient, please let us know that you have served so that we can make sure that we understand your health needs.

Please contact the practice if you would like the GP to initiate a referral to a Veteran Mental Health Service. This may include referral to Op Courage or Combat Stress.

Alternatively, please see below contact details for you to self-refer to any of the below services, some of which are available 24/7. 

Combat Stress - for serving personnel, veterans and armed forces families

• The charity Combat Stress provides self-help advice on their website. They offer a mental health helpline for 24/7 confidential advice and support. Please go to their website (https://combatstress.org.uk/) or call the helpline. For serving personnel + their families, call 0800 323 4444. For veterans and their family, please call 0800 138 1619. You can also text 07537173683. 

Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) - for serving personnel, veterans and armed forces families 

• DMWS provides pratical and emotional support to military personnel, veterans, their families and other entitled civilians when they're in hospital, rehabilitation or recovery centres. Please see their website for further information (https://dmws.org.uk/)

Help for Heroes - for wounded, injued and sick serving personnel and veterans, and their families

• The Help for Heroes charity provides physical, psychological, financial and welfare support to wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans, and their families. Contact Help for Heroes through their website to see how they can support you. (https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/) 

Royal British Legion - for serving personnel, veterans and armed forces families

• The Royal British Legion gives advice and support on wellbeing on their website and through their community branches. For additional advice and support, the Royal British Legion also have an online chat and helpline that is open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week. 
• Please go to their website (https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/) or contact their helpline on 0808 802 8080

 Armed forces charities for people with specific healthcare conditions

Blesma - for veterans who have experienced life-changing limb loss, lost the use of a limb, or lost sight during service, as well as their faimilies.

• Blesma offer advice and support through their local support officers. They also provide financial assistance to help with the additional costs of disability. 
• Please go to their website (https://blemsa.org/) or call 020 8590 1124 

Blind Veterans - for veterans who have experienced sight loss and their families 

• Blind veterans offers community groups, rehabilitation and support ith care as well as advice on their website. 
• Please go to their website (https://www.blindveterans.org.uk/) or call 0800 389 7979 

Women's armed forces charities

Salute Her UK - for women veterans who are survivors of military sexual trauma and their families

• Salute Her UK provides a support service which offers mental health therapy and interventions for women survivors of military sexaul trauma in a single sex environment. Please go to their website for further information (https://www.forward-assist.com/salute-her).