GP surgeries are praised as 'veteran-friendly'

A local NHS provider and its GP surgeries have become the first in the region to be accredited as "veteran-friendly".

The NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) is the first in the East of England to be given the accreditation and the third in England by the Royal College of General Practitioners.

It means all its GP practices are recognised as having the expertise required to care for those who have served in the armed forces.

Ipswich Army veteran Nigel Seaman, as well as Colchester Army veteran Robyn Lockwood, both praised the move.

"By fostering greater understanding and awareness of the veteran community, this accreditation will make it easier for veterans to express their needs and be truly understood, ensuring they receive the support they need more quickly," Mr Seaman said.

The accreditation means surgeries are trained to understand the veteran community and the barriers ex-service personnel and their families face when accessing healthcare after leaving the armed forces.

Ms Lockwood, who is a trustee at the Armed Forces Business Centre in Colchester, said particularly as a female veteran she had struggled in the past to find a healthcare provider which understood veterans' needs.

"After serving, I found myself navigating a new world where it felt like I had to constantly explain or justify my experiences and their impacts on my health," she said.

"This often made seeking help more daunting and, at times, incredibly isolating.

"That's why this accreditation is so crucial - it promises a level of understanding and readiness among healthcare providers that can significantly ease these challenges."

According to the ICB, there were approximately 8,365 veterans and 3,680 veteran families living in its area.

Chief executive Ed Garratt thanked its GPs for "answering the call" to achieve the accreditation.

"We know that continual relocations, physical injury, mental trauma, separation from loved ones and the difficulties that can arise when trying to navigate civilian life again can all take their toll," he said.

"I am truly humbled by the way the veteran community has responded to news of the accreditation and by what it means to them.

"We are here for you and we sincerely thank you for all you have done for us."

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