Sisters in Service Virtual meet Up - 27 June 2024

Sisters in Service is a support network dedicated to the remarkable women who have served in the UK Armed Forces and are now contributing to the healthcare sector.

Their mission at Sisters in Service is to provide a nurturing and empowering environment where female veterans in healthcare can connect, share experiences, and support each other on our unique paths. Whether you're a nurse, doctor, therapist, administrator, or in any other healthcare role, your service to both your country and your community is invaluable, and we want to ensure you have the resources and camaraderie you deserve.

To register interest and to find out more, visit their website: www.sistersinservice.co.uk 

Their first virtual meet-up is scheduled for Thursday, June 27, 2024, from 7pm until 8pm. This will be an opportunity for everyone to get to know each other, share our stories, and discuss how best to support one another moving forward. Tickets for the event, which are free, can be reserved here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sisters-in-service-online-launch-event-tickets-882944931057

New Gloucester veterans cafe to open to support community

A museum has launched a new veterans cafe this week for serving Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families.

The Gloucester cafe opened at the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum on 11 April and will run every second Thursday of the month.

With the support of Gloucestershire County Council, advice services will be available from 10.30am to 12.30pm.  Click here to read more or visit the Soldiers of Gloucestershire museum at Gloucester docks GL1-2HE

What is Op COURAGE and how can it help?

This film has been produced by veterans who share their experience of using Op Courage: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service.  To find out more about the service and the help available go to this link:  Op Courage

Defence Discount Service

 

This video has been created to support veterans to learn more about Defence Discount Service and the forms of ID we accept when registering. Veterans can also ask a family member or friend to help with signing up. As a veteran you can get free access to thousands of discounts online when you sign up for your free membership from holidays, cars, days out, fashion, electronics and more. A Defence Privilege Card can also be purchased for £4.99 for access to discounts on the high street in stores, restaurants and venues and is valid for five years.

To Sign Up Click Here...............

Becoming an RCGP Armed Forces Veteran Friendly Practice - Q&A

In this video, Dr Jo Ferguson, military veteran and retired general practitioner and is joined by Dr Jonathan Leach, Dr Emily Brookes and Mr Peter Jones in a question and answer session for primary care about the veteran friendly practice accreditation scheme. The scheme is run by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and for more information click the link: Becoming a veteran friendly accredited GP practice - NHS Arden & GEM CSU (ardengemcsu.nhs.uk)

For veterans, they need to tell their GP that they served to improve access to specialist care available through the various schemes and charities in place.  Veterans who have been injured in service may be entitled to grants from the mobility fund, which is open for 5 years.  Read more about this article from the Forces Net

Government delivers further expansion

The Government delivers further expansion of Health Services to former Armed Forces personnel.  The Government launched a campaign to help improve veterans access to healthcare services, and opened applications to the £2.52 million Veterans Mobility Fund.  The Veterans Mobility Fund gives veterans with physical disabilities grants for mobility equipment that is not usually available through the NHS, such as specialist wheelchairs and mobility scooters to improve their quality of life.  The fund is administered by Help for Hero's and Blesma and is open to veterans across the UK, which can be access through Op Restore   Read more.....................

NHS Veterans BBC Breakfast interview 23rd Feb 2024

 

Watch this video from BBC Breakfast promoting the drive for Armed Forces veterans to register with practices for support with mental and physical health conditions.  Veteran friendly practices are becoming a vanguard for supporting veterans and becoming an accredited practice is a very simple process with just one form to complete which takes no more than 15 minutes. The practice needs to have a clinical lead, which can be any clinician and while often it is a GP, it certainly is not a requirement.   Nurses, physios, pharmacists, paramedics and any other group with an interest can provide a vital role.

The administrative lead supports the clinician and may be the practice manager, but also, it might be a social prescriber or a reception manager as examples. Ultimately its whatever works best for the individual practice.

Once accredited (normally between a week to 10 days),   Information packages and online presentations will be sent electronically for sharing throughout the practice.  It can be used for appraisal / re-validation  and evidence to the CQC that vulnerable groups are being considered.