This means that, as part of the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant, at The Cranborne Practice we:

• Have a clinical lead for veteran health - Dr Bruce Woollard
• Ask patients "Have you served?" to identify veteran patients
• Support veteran patients to access dedicated health services
• Undertake specialist training to meet the health commitment of the Armed Forces Covenant

This is important in helping ex-forces to get the best care and treatment.  

If you are a veteran patient, please let us know that you have served so that we can make sure that we understand your health needs.

The Veteran Friendly Practices accredication scheme is run by the Royal College of General Practioners (the RCGP) in parternship with NHS England and NHS Improvement.   The RCGP and the NHS have developed a leaflet to help ex-forces patients to get the most from your GP.  Please follow this link to download and view a copy of the leaflet:>>

Op COURAGE: the Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service

Op COURAGE is an NHS mental health specialist service designed to help serving personnel due to leave the military, reservists, armed forces veterans and their families.

Op COURAGE can help you and your family with a range of support and treatment.  To find our more about mental health support for veterans, service leavers and reservists, please visit the NHS Help & Support information page by following this link:>>

A veteran is anyone who has served one day or more in the UK Armed Forces including reservists. Some people may not consider themselves a veteran, so it is important to ask, ‘have you ever served in the UK Armed Forces?’ This video aims to break down misconceptions and stereotypes of who veterans are.

Our veteran patients have free access to Togetherall - Togetherall is a safe anonymous online community where members can share what’s on their mind, take comfort reading the thoughts of others or browse the many resources available. 

Togetherall provides: 

• A supportive online community – moderated by professionals at all times (BACP members or equivalent)
• An anonymous space, free from stigma or judgement.
• A safe place to talk at any time of the day or night.
• A library of self-help materials, including structured online courses on topics such as managing depression, improving sleep and a ‘managing PTSD’ course, which has been specifically designed to support the Armed Forces.

The Togetherall service is free for veterans and can be accessed immediately through a computer or mobile device at www.togetherall.com, click ‘Register’ and they select 'I am part of the UK Armed Forces community'.

The Veterans’ Gateway service is the first point of contact for all Tri-Service veterans, and their families. Its expert content covers welfare areas: housing, employment, finances, living independently, mental wellbeing, families and communities, and physical health.

Its unique support (both in the UK and abroad) is funded by the Armed Forces Covenant. And supported by charities and organisations and individuals, including the the National Health Service (NHS), the Government of the United Kingdom (GOV.UK) and the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

For more information visit their website here:>>

OUR COMMITMENT AS A VETERAN FRIENDLY GP PRACTICE