Veteran Friendly Accreditation

Veteran Friendly Practice

Wood Lane is officially Veteran accredited

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Supporting Our Veterans

We are proud to be a Veteran Friendly GP Practice, accredited by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and NHS England. This means we are committed to providing the best possible care for patients who have served in the armed forces.

What being a Veteran Friendly Practice Means

Being a Veteran Friendly Accredited Practice recognise the importance of delivering tailored care for veteran patients and their families within our community. We understand the unique health needs that veterans have and we will always continue to strive to provide the very best care and support.

Our designated lead is Dr Steven Shapiro, who helps guide our support for patients who have served in the armed forces.

Tips for Veterans Registering with a GP

Don’t wait until you’re unwell – register with a GP as soon as possible. You can find local GP practices at: https://www.nhs.uk or if you would like to register with Wood Lane Medical Centre, please visit our registration page: Register With Us
If you’ve recently left the Armed Forces, give your GP any paperwork or medical records from your military medical centre. This helps transfer your health history to the NHS and ensures your care continues smoothly.
Whether you left the military recently or years ago, let your GP know you’ve served in the UK Armed Forces. This helps them understand your health needs and refer you to veteran-specific services if needed.
With your permission, your GP can refer you to charities like SSAFA, the Royal British Legion, Combat Stress, or Help for Heroes. These organisations offer support, even if they don’t provide medical care.
You may be worried about sharing information about time in the Armed Forces. The NHS follows strict rules to keep your information private. GPs, nurses, and staff are legally bound to protect your confidentiality.

Let Us Know You’re a Veteran

If you’re a veteran, we’d like to know so we can offer the right support.

  • Email us at: wlmc.patientenquiries@nhs.net and let us know you’re a veteran so we can record this in your record.
  • Registering as a new patient?
    Visit our Register With Us page and complete a registration form – make sure to tick the box to say you’re a veteran on the form.

Support Outside of the Practice

Further Support

If you require specialist support, or would like to talk to someone outside of the practice, please see the out of hour services available to you. To find out more click:

– Op COURAGE: 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.
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-and-veterans-healthcare/veterans-nhs-mental-health-services

– Veterans Trauma Network: The Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service is an NHS service that provides specialist care and treatment to veterans who have physical health problems as a result of their time in the Armed Forces.
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-and-veterans-healthcare/veterans-nhs-mental-health-services

– Veteran’s Gateway: We are the first point of contact for you and your loved ones. Contact us 24/7 for help across housing, mental wellbeing, finances and more.
https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk

Helpful Resources & Documents for Veterans

Please click the buttons below for further information:

Patient Charter
Top Tips
FAQs