NEW – Update 16th April 2024.
Church Avenue Practice are pleased to have recently been accredited as an Armed Forces Veteran Friendly Practice. If you are ex-forces, please let us know to help ensure you are getting the best possible care.
Further updates to the practice website will follow very shortly.
In the meantime the ‘Patient Charter for The Armed Forces Covenant’ and ‘Top Tips for Veterans’ documents can be found below.
Ways the practice can help
- When you register with the practice, please let us know if you are a military veteran
- If you are already registered, please let us know at your next appointment, or reply to the Text Message sent to all patients in April, 2024
- NHS mental health care for veterans (assets.nhs.uk)
- Healthcare for the armed forces community – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Out of hours support:
- Samaritans freephone 116 123 or email [email protected] – 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.