Calls for Stroud GPs to join campaign to improve healthcare for veterans

Jonathan Pape (left) and Dr Simon Opher are urging others to back a campaign to improve healthcare for veterans

GP practices are being urged to join a campaign to improve healthcare for armed forces veterans.

The Royal College of GPs' programme is backed by former paratrooper, Jonathan Pape, and Dr Simon Opher, who want practices across Stroud to enrol.

Practices can complete training to be accredited as 'veteran friendly'.

Dr Opher said: "As Remembrance Day approaches, it's an appropriate moment to look at how we support those who've served their country."

The programme offers practitioners extra training, including identifying and understanding patients' needs and referring them to the most suitable NHS services for veterans.

These include operation courage, a mental health and wellbeing service, and operation restore, which aims to improve physical health.

Currently, four practices within the district are accredited - Culverhay and Chipping surgeries in Wotton, Frithwood in Bussage and May Lane Surgery in Dursley.

Dr Opher, who runs May Lane Surgery, said there are 4,200 veterans with physical and mental health needs in Stroud.

He highlighted the importance of servicemen and women telling their GP that they are a veteran.

Captain Jonathan Pape escorting HRH Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, in Edinburgh on 28 May 1982

"By registering as a veteran, support may be available that will prevent more serious ill health later on.

"It's really important that we listen to patients and respond to their needs. I hope that through this campaign, our care for veterans will be dramatically improved," added Dr Opher.

'Much-needed service'

Mr Pape, who lives in Uley, said he wanted every local GP practice to be part of the programme.

"Through this campaign, Dr Opher and I are hoping to increase the number of accredited practices and offer much-needed services to veterans," he said.

"A veteran includes anybody who has served in either the regular or reserve forces, so this could include a very large number of patients from the age of 18 upwards", Mr Pape added.

Brigadier Robin Simpson, is the Royal College of GP's 'Clinical Champion for Veterans' and an NHS GP and thinks this service will really benefit veterans.

He said: "We know that veterans are different, and once they leave the military, they do have problems that are different to the general population.

"Most veterans, well 90% of them are male and they aren't great at coming forward with mental heath problems.

"With this programme, the GPs are already aware that the patient is a veteran and is better prepared to treat them."

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