Gloucester Health Access Centre and Matson Lane Surgery have a significant number of military veterans registered with us. We are conscious that some military veterans might be affected by the 20th anniversary of the Iraq conflict. If you have been affected by this, help is available as the surgery is proud to be accredited as a veteran friendly practice by the Royal College of GPs. Help is also available via Op Courage, the veterans’ mental health and wellbeing service.

We are proud to be Armed Forces Veteran Friendly accredited and hope you find the following resources helpful.

Out of hours support:

• Samaritans freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org – to access confidential emotional support for feelings of distress, despair or suicide thoughts.
• Big White Wall – a safe online service providing access to millions with anxiety, depression and other common mental health issues. Free for serving personnel, veterans, family members and carers.
• Shout – a crisis text support service for people in the military community who are struggling and need immediate support to get through a crisis. Text CONTACT to 85258.
• Forces line telephone helpline: 0800 7314880 (Monday – Friday 10:30 – 19:30) or email. For serving personnel, former members of the Armed Forces and their families.
• NHS 111 – to access medical help fast but when it’s not a 999 emergency, telephone 111 (available 24 hours). To access information from the NHS on conditions, treatments, local services and healthy living following the link to NHS Choices.
• Veterans UK – to seek information on claiming AFCS, Armed Forces Independence Payment, Medical Discharges and Pension Forecast Requests.

To find out more about the Veteran Friendly Practices accreditation scheme, visit www.rcgp.org.uk/veterans

The Veteran Friendly Practices accreditation scheme is run by the Royal College of General Practitioners in partnership with NHS England.