RCGP Veteran Friendly Accreditation
A quick-to-implement, free support programme for GP practices in England that will enable you and your practice team to easily identify, understand and support veterans and, where appropriate, refer them to specialist healthcare services designed especially for them.
5 key points about Veteran Friendly accreditation:
- Free support programme that enables practice staff to identify, understand and support Veterans.
- Involves whole practice team.
- Benefits patients and staff.
- Provides evidence of supporting a potentially vulnerable group of patients (CQC).
- Potentially provides evidence of giving due regard to needs of Armed Forces Veterans (GP Contract 2024).
5 steps to becoming accredited as Veteran Friendly
- Appoint clinical and admin lead (1).
- Complete application form on RCGP website (approx. 20 mins).
- Complete online training provided by RCGP ( approx. 2 hours) and share this with the practice team.
- Ensure that all patients joining the surgery are asked if they have ever served in UK military and that this is correctly coded in their medical record – You can use the Arden’s – Military Veterans or Family Member template.
- Advertise accreditation in surgery and online (and encourage existing patients to let you know if they have served).
Ideally, practices should be rated as Good or higher by CQC but if your practice does not yet have this, please still apply and one of the RCGP Veterans’ Champions will get in touch with you to discuss your application.
(1) Clinical lead can be any member of the clinical team; doesn’t have to be a GP
Application form:
More information:
Veterans’ healthcare toolkit: Veteran friendly GP practice accreditation | RCGP Learning
Healthcare for the armed forces community – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Op COURAGE | The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service (opcouragemidlands.nhs.uk)
Op NOVA | Forces Employment Charity
Op FORTITUDE- Riverside Care and Support
Media:
Veteran Friendly Practices on BBC Breakfast (youtube.com)
BBC Morning Live Royal College of GP’s Veteran Friendly Accreditation scheme – TV item (youtube.com)
Say you served | Help Us Help You – Primary Care Services | Campaign Resource Centre (dhsc.gov.uk)
e.g. of use by practice Say You Served – Umbrella Medical Group
