From the Forces to Family Practice: My experience as a Veteran Clinical Lead

When I joined our GP surgery as a practice nurse over 21 years ago, I never imagined how much my role would evolve once we became a Veteran Friendly Accredited Practice – a free scheme that helps practices identify and support their veteran patients.

Looking back, signing up to the scheme was one of the most rewarding decisions of my nursing career.

I had previously served in the Reserves for the Royal Air Force as a Senior Aircraftsman (SAC), alongside my full-time practice nurse role at Whittaker Lane Medical Centre in Prestwich, Lancashire.

The military experience ignited a life-long passion for the Armed Forces and with a nephew now serving in the Fusiliers, which is linked to my hometown of Bury, I wanted to keep that flame burning.

So, when I learned about the Royal College of General Practitioners’ Veteran Friendly GP Practice Accreditation scheme –  which supports practices to identify, understand and, if needed, refer veteran patients to specialist health services –  I knew it was something our practice had to be part of. I also discovered that the role of Veteran Clinical Lead wasn’t just for GPs. It was ideally suited to nurses too.

Taking it on changed everything – for our patients, our practice and for me.

Why this role really matters: the unique needs of veterans

Becoming our practice’s Veteran Clinical Lead allows me to better support fellow veterans who walk through our surgery doors. Many veterans prefer speaking with someone who “gets it” – someone who understands service life, its pressures, and its impact on health and wellbeing. Of course, you absolutely don’t have to be a veteran to be the lead, but my experience has certainly helped build trust.

Accreditation gives you the knowledge and awareness to recognise health issues that some veterans may experience – from musculoskeletal injuries to post-traumatic stress disorder and the effects of social isolation. It equips you to connect veterans with dedicated NHS and community support pathways and helps your practice meet the Armed Forces Covenant commitments to provide fair and understanding healthcare for veterans and their families.

At our practice, becoming accredited has helped us identify and care for veterans by:

• Encouraging patients to record their veteran status during registration.
• Educating colleagues on veteran-specific health issues and referral pathways.
• Liaising with local veteran services and charities to coordinate care.
• Acting as a point of contact for veterans seeking advice or support.

These small steps make a big difference. There are 1.7 million veterans living in England, and many are registered with GP surgeries just like ours. Yet, according to a survey by the Royal College of GPs, 27% don’t tell their practice they are veterans, which means their experiences, and sometimes their specific clinical needs, can go unrecognised.

The difference becoming accredited makes

Many veterans don’t see themselves as needing special support, but their experiences often shape their physical and mental health in ways that require understanding and sensitivity. As a Veteran Clinical Lead, you play a crucial role in identifying them, ensuring their records are correctly coded, and referring them to the right services – from mental health support through NHS Op COURAGE, to specialist rehabilitation or social care assistance.

It’s also true that some veterans are reluctant to seek help. According to a survey of 5,000 veterans by the RCGP, despite 55% of veterans experiencing a health issue potentially related to their service, one in seven have not sought help from a healthcare professional. The most common reasons given for this was they would rather manage their issues on their own or feel that a civilian healthcare professional may not understand their experiences.

This is where becoming Veteran Friendly Accredited can make such a meaningful impact. Simply asking, “Have you ever served in the Armed Forces?” can open the door to a deeper and more accurate understanding of someone’s health journey .By asking that vital question, we’ve seen more patients identifying themselves as veterans – allowing us to tailor their care appropriately and refer them to NHS services like Op COURAGE and charities like Combat Stress, Help for Heroes, and the Royal British Legion.

Time and time again, veterans have told me, “I finally feel understood”. Those moments are what make this role so enriching.

Why nurses are so well placed to lead

One of the most valuable parts of accreditation is how it enhances professional skills, equipping you with the knowledge, confidence, and resources to recognise, support, and advocate for those who have served. Becoming a Veteran Clinical Lead can give you:

• Enhanced awareness of physical and mental health conditions experienced by some veterans, such as musculoskeletal injuries, PTSD, or hearing loss.
• Improved confidence when engaging with patients who may find it hard to disclose their service background.
• Knowledge and access to resources and referral pathways, including specialist veteran services and charities.
• Professional recognition of your background, skills, and commitment to equitable care.

How nurses can lead on veteran care and build their skills

Becoming accredited is very straightforward, taking just 20 minutes to sign up (and anyone in the practice can complete the online form) and the educational resources provided will give the whole practice a better understanding of the unique needs of those who have served in the Armed Forces. For individual nurses, it positions you as a knowledgeable advocate within your team and enhances your professional development.

As Queen’s Nurses and practice nurses, we all share a common goal: to deliver high-quality, compassionate care that meets the needs of every patient who walks through our doors. For those of us who have served in the Armed Forces, or who work with patients who have, becoming a Veteran Accredited Practice and or taking on the role of Veteran Lead, is a meaningful way to build on that commitment.

You can learn more about Veteran Friendly Accreditation and sign your practice up here: http://rcgp.org.uk/veterans