When a patient registers with your surgery, ask if they have served in the armed forces and Read code them as ‘Military veteran’ on your computer system. There are also Read codes for ‘Member of Military Family’.

Consider whether a patient who attends with a health problem, especially mental health, might be a veteran (or family member) and ask them if they have served in the armed forces or if they are the family member of a service person.

It is unlikely that your military health records will completely be in your NHS GP’s records. Tell your GP that you are military veteran.

The Armed Forces Covenant gives military veterans additional rights, but it is not for all health care. The main thing is that the condition needs to have been caused or occurred whilst you were serving. For example Mr Smith developed skin cancer as a consequence of serving overseas for many years – this would be included in this definition. However if Mr Smith required a gall bladder operation, it would be unlikely to be due to military service and he would be treated as a normal NHS patient. If the condition is thought to be due to your time in service, tell your doctor as you may be entitled to a shorter hospital waiting list.