Summary
GP Practices in Greater Manchester are encouraged to become ‘veteran friendly’.
The region is aiming to reach the national target by March 2025.
As Remembrance Day approaches, practices are invited to become accredited as ‘veteran friendly’.
Almost 60 per cent of practices in Greater Manchester already have accreditation, however the region is hoping to achieve the national NHSE target of 100 per cent by March 2025.
Run by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and NHS England, the Veteran Friendly Accreditation Scheme supports practices to deliver the best possible care and treatment for patients who have served in the armed forces.
Practices can sign up to the scheme at any point during the year, but the period around Remembrance Day can be particularly triggering for veterans and provides an ideal opportunity to help those who may be silently struggling.
Becoming a veteran friendly accredited practice is a quick and simple process – it takes just 20 minutes to sign up – and will help practices to raise awareness, improve understanding and support them in their duty of care to veterans.
Practices will receive free online training, support with identifying veteran patients and advice on referrals.
After becoming accredited, 99 per cent of practices would recommend it, saying they feel they have a better understanding of veterans’ needs.
Dr Joanna Bircher, Clinical Director of the PCB’s GP Excellence Programme, said: “As Remembrance Day approaches, it’s a timely reminder that veterans often face unique physical and mental health challenges, such as being affected by incidents not typically experienced by other citizens.
“By joining the scheme, practices can learn more about how to identify, support and deliver tailored support to veterans.
“We’re really pleased to see that so many practices are already accredited, and we’d really love to build on this so that all Greater Manchester practices are accredited by the end of March 2025.”
For more information, contact veterans@rcgp.org.uk or complete the registration form.
