Armed Forces and Veterans

A veteran is anyone who has served at least one day in the Armed Forces. Veterans make up around 5% to 10% of the population. The armed forces community is bigger. It includes serving regular forces, reservists, veterans and their families.

The armed forces community can find it difficult to get healthcare. They may not know where services are or what is available in the NHS.  After moving it can take time to register with a GP.  It can take time to get a referral to a new specialist for a long-term health problem.

We support the Armed Forces Community. That's why we have signed the Armed Forces Covenant.

In July 2024 we received Veteran Aware Accreditation. 

The Armed Forces Covenant

This is a promise from the nation to those who serve or have served and their families. 

We must:

• make sure people are not disadvantaged due to their service to the country

• consider those who have given the most, such as people injured or bereaved

• make sure family members keep their place on an NHS waiting list if they move around the UK

• give priority treatment for a service-related health condition or injury, subject to clinical need

• make sure our staff understand the Armed Forces culture

• pledge to uphold the moral obligation we have to those who have served our country.

Understanding the armed forces community

Being in the armed forces affects the individual and their family: 

• a loved one’s absence can be difficult for partners and families

• it may be hard to adjust when a military person returns home

• the person who served may find it hard to adjust to civilian life

• families sometimes move home several times due to their partner or parent having to train at a different base

• deployment at short notice interrupts family life.

Using our services

Please tell us if you:

• are serving in the Armed Forces

• have served

• are a family member of someone who is serving or has served.

We will add this to your patient record.

We give priority to you if your injury or illness is the result of your military service. We base this on clinical need.

Your GP will need to tell us you have served.  Please tell them when they refer you. 

If you are not entitled to priority treatment, there may be other services that can help. We can signpost you to these services.

If you are part of the armed forces community and have recently moved to East Kent, tell us if you are on a waiting list for treatment.  We will make sure you wait no longer than you would have done where you lived before.

Listening to you

We have a Veterans Community Group. If you are a veteran you can come to a meeting to tell us about your experience of using our services. Local veterans organisations can come to the group too. To find out more about this email: ekhuft.patientvoice@nhs.net.

Support for veterans

There are many services to support veterans and their families. See the NHS.uk information for veterans, service leavers, and non-mobilised reservists.