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Armed Forces Veteran Friendly Accredited GP Practice

Patient charter: our commitment to you as a veteran of the UK Armed Forces

The NHS is here to help improve your health and wellbeing and keep you mentally and physically well. It is also here to help you get better when you are ill and, when you cannot fully recover, to stay as well as you can until the end of your life.

This means that you can expect the following from our practice

  • We will ask all patients if they have served in the UK Armed Forces (as a regular or reservist). If you have, we will note this in your medical record, with your permission.
  • We will ask you to share details of your time in service to help us to assess the best support and treatment for you.
  • The information you share will be kept confidential and we will always speak to you before sharing this with other services you may be referred to.
  • You can make an appointment to see our clinical lead for veteran’s health. This person has a comprehensive understanding of the Armed Forces, health conditions linked to service, and the dedicated support you can access.
  • The NHS has a duty to support the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant. This means that you will get priority treatment for any medical condition which has been caused by your service, subject to the clinical needs of other patients.
  • We will let you know what choices are available for your care and treatment and help you to make informed decisions on what to do.
  • Where appropriate and with your consent, we can refer you to dedicated veterans health services.
  • If you need to be seen by another service, we will let them know you’re a veteran and make sure they have an understanding of your health and wellbeing needs, so you don’t have to keep repeating your ‘personal story’.
  • We can give advice and support to your loved ones who may be affected by your health conditions.
  • We will investigate any issues and complaints that you may have about your care. If you have any concerns about the services we offer, please speak to one of the practice team. 

Top tips for veterans

How to get the most from your GP

  • If you’ve recently left the forces, it is important to give your GP the paperwork that your military medical centre gave you, including any medical records. This will help to make sure your military health record transfers to your NHS health record. This will also give your GP information on your health and ensure that any ongoing care and treatment is continued.
  • Regardless of when you left the military, tell your GP that you’ve served in the UK Armed Forces. This will help your GP to better understand any military related health conditions that you may have and ensure that you are referred, where appropriate, to dedicated services for veterans. This includes the specialist mental and physical health services, Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service and the Veterans Trauma Network. When using these services, you will be able to speak to people who:
    • understand the Armed Forces and military life 
    • are either from the Armed Forces community or highly experienced in working with serving personnel, reservists, veterans and their families
    • will work with you to make sure you get the right type of specialist care, support, and treatment
    • work closely with a range of organisations and charities, including military charities, to support your wider health and wellbeing needs. 
  • With your agreement, it can sometimes be helpful for your doctor to refer you to Armed Forces charities, such as SSAFA, the Royal British Legion, Combat Stress or Help for Heroes. They can often offer significant help and support, even if they do not all deliver healthcare.
  • You may be worried about sharing information about your time in the Armed Forces. Please note that the NHS is bound by a confidentiality code of practice to ensure GPs, nurses and other people working within the NHS deliver a confidential service bound by law.

What other services are available?

Non-NHS Services

The doctors carry out a range of medical examinations including HGV, PCV, fitness to drive/travel and insurance examinations. Other non-NHS charges include private health forms (BUPA etc), Insurance claim forms and private certificates. Full details on charges are available at reception and please note that for medicals the doctors have set time slots for appointments as they are allocated a much longer time for completion than normal clinics will allow.

Travel Vaccinations

Our Nurses can provide comprehensive travel health advice and arrange for appropriate immunisations. Please arrange an appointment for a travel consultation at least 8 weeks before departure if possible. Vaccines need time to take effect and some may require a course over several weeks. You can download the Travel Form, and bring it to the practice.

Select the region you are travelling to find out more:

Quote / Testimonial:

Africa

Central Asia

East Asia

Australasia & Pacific

Caribbean

Quote / Testimonial:

Central America

Europe & Russia

Middle East

North America

South America & Antarctica

Travel Vaccination Prices

Travel advice is covered by the NHS; however some vaccinations and prescriptions are only available privately. Payment for non-NHS services must be made at the first travel appointment.

The following vaccines are immediately available in the surgery:

  • NHS: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis A, Typhoid
  • Non-NHS: Hepatitis B (adult) £25 per dose (usually 3 or 4 required), Rabies £55 per dose (usually 3 required)

The following vaccines can be obtained by private prescription and a charge of £25 is payable to the surgery for each visit to administer. The cost of the vaccine is also payable to the chemist. Vaccines must be stored between 2 and 8 degrees in a refrigerator; the ideal way to do this is to hand them in to the practice as soon as possible.
You will be required to obtain the necessary vaccines and pay the pharmacy separately for these and return them to the practice for administration:

  • Hepatitis B (child) Meningitis ACWY, Japanese Encephalitis, Tick-borne Encephalitis.

All anti-malaria medications are provided privately. If recommended a private prescription will be issued at a cost of £15 and the cost of the medication will be payable to the pharmacy.

Yellow Fever vaccination is not provided in the surgery but available from specialist travel clinics.

Further Travel Information

The following websites will give you additional travel advice

Travel Health for information of vaccinations available on NHS

MASTA for private vaccination clinics

Gov.uk for specific country travel advice

EHIC to apply for your free European Health Insurance Card

Ear Syringing

For your information we no longer offer routine ear syringing. We have a limited number of appointments available each month, but these get taken very quickly. You are more than welcome to see the Practice Nurse to have your ears checked for wax, but please be aware that there may be a long waiting list for syringing and you may have to wait 3 or 4 months for an appointment.

If it is urgent there are several places locally that offer private ear clearance:-

You may also like to try olive oil or sodium bicarbonate drops.

For those patients that cannot have syringing because of infection, ear surgery or a previous perforation, we offer a microsuction service.  Please ask your Practice Nurse about this service.

Flu Vaccination

We recommend that all patients with an eligible medical condition such as diabetes, asthma, chronic heart, lung or kidney problems and anyone over 65 years of age are vaccinated each year, typically available from September.

For more details on when these are available check with the surgery, or look out for updates on the website.

Dermatology

Dr Gray provides specialist dermatology services for the Hailsham community and accepts referrals from all local GPs.

Joint Injections

These can be provided by arrangement through your GP.

Sexual Health & Contraception

Sexual health screening and treatment can be provided by both male and female doctors.

Contraceptive implants, injections and device fitting can be provided by both male and female doctors.

Health Checks

Including new patient registration checks, well-woman checks, over-75 checks, new baby 72-hours and 6-week checks.

Minor Surgery

Dr Gray provides this service.

Operations will usually take place in our modern facility at Quintin Medical Centre or Punnetts Town Surgery.