The ongoing deployment of UK armed forces means it is now more important than ever that the NHS works closely with military services to ensure that the health needs of the Armed Forces, their families and veterans are appropriately met. In particular, it will be important to provide priority treatment, including appropriate mental health treatment, for veterans with conditions related to their service, subject to the clinical needs of others.
In December 2007, the Chief Executive of the NHS wrote to Chief Executives of Strategic Health Authorities, Primary Care Trusts, NHS Foundation Trusts and NHS acute and mental health trusts informing them that the extension of priority treatment arrangements for veterans would commence from 1 January 2008, and asked that GPs and others were made aware of this.
Successive NHS Operating Frameworks have continued to reiterate the requirement for PCTs to ensure the needs of this community are appropriately met. Despite this, research by the Royal British Legion has shown that few GPs are acting on these provisions. Given the ongoing nature of UK Armed Forces involvement in Afghanistan and the current and future needs of the veteran population, it is important that access to priority treatment is identified where appropriate.
The letter sets out actions and the next steps to ensure that military veterans receive priority access to NHS secondary care.
Download the Letter (PDF)