HEALTH
& Lifestyle
A Pledge from the NHS T
his extract is taken from a leaflet published by the NHS. Its purpose: to help regular Armed
Forces personnel and their families understand how to access the health services they need, and what to do if things go wrong. Te leaflet applies to health services in England.
Armed Forces As a member of the UK Armed Forces you are entitled to access healthcare at NHS hospitals on the same basis as other members of the public. Over and above access to NHS facilities, the Defence Medical Services has contractual arrangements in place to provide accelerated access to healthcare. While serving in the Armed Forces you have to register with a military GP, as required by NHS regulations; during this time, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) takes responsibility for your general medical healthcare. However, where you do not have ready access to your military GP (eg, when on leave) you are permitted to apply to join the list of a civilian general practice and see a civilian GP as a temporary patient under the NHS.
Armed Forces Serving Overseas As a member of the Armed Forces serving overseas, you are entitled to full use of NHS specialist care facilities, without charge, if you return to the UK for treatment. Your specialist care will usually be provided by one of the six nominated NHS hospitals with which the MOD has a contract.
Family Dependants Medical Services – Eligible family members will normally be registered with a civilian GP and access NHS services in the same way as other members of the public.
Alternatively, on units with the capacity (usually those identified as training units for military medical staff) family members may have the option of being registered with a military GP. In this case, they will access NHS services through the Defence Medical Services.
Dentistry – Service families can access NHS dental services in the same way as other members of the public. Unless you are exempt from charges, you will be required to pay one of three standard rates, depending on your course of treatment. NHS primary care trusts have been asked to ensure that they plan to
22 Spring 2009
meet the needs of Service families in their areas.
Before moving into a new area, it is recommended that you identify NHS dentists in the area – your current dentist may be able to suggest someone. If you are having a problem with an appointment or need an urgent appointment for NHS dental services, you can call the dental helpline for the primary care trust, which will be able to advise you. Dental helpline numbers can be found on the NHS Choices website
atwww.nhs.uk or by calling NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
Family Dependants Living Overseas Eligible family members living overseas can access healthcare through the Defence Medical Services, and are entitled to full use of NHS specialist care facilities without charge if they return to the UK for treatment.
Hospital Waiting Lists Since December 2008, NHS patients in England can expect to start their consultant- led treatment within a maximum of 18 weeks from referral, unless they choose to wait longer or it is clinically appropriate that they do so. This commitment also covers patients who move home and move between hospitals.
If you or a member of your family are currently on a waiting list for NHS treatment and are required to move between hospitals as a result of having to fulfill military duties, we would encourage you to discuss arrangements for transferring your care with the clinician who is currently treating you. We would also encourage you to contact your new GP and/or hospital as early as possible after you have moved, to discuss and confirm the arrangements for your treatment.
If you are moving within the UK, previous waiting time will be taken into account, with the expectation that treatment will be within national waiting time standards. Like anyone else moving between hospitals in the UK, you will be treated as quickly as possible based on clinical priority. This could mean in practice that you sometimes have a different time to wait if moving to another part of the UK. The MOD has committed itself to ensuring that, if a member of the Armed Forces or their partner is undergoing IVF treatment, they do not move until their cycle of treatment is complete.
On Leaving the Armed Forces On leaving the Armed Forces, you will need to register with your local NHS GP. Make sure that your GP has the information they need about your current health. You should have a summary record of your health history given to you on discharge, along with details about how your GP can obtain your medical records.
If you have a health problem that you think is related to your service in the Armed Forces, you may wish to raise this with your GP – they may be able to get you referred more quickly for any hospital care that is needed (but please note that this is subject to the clinical needs of others). NHS Choices
atwww.nhs.uk or NHS Direct on 0845 4647 can help you identify GPs in your area.
The MOD is working with the NHS to ensure that the NHS will be able to maintain and replace the prostheses of amputees discharged from the Armed Forces in future. You should be informed of these arrangements on discharge. Being on active service can in some instances lead to mental health problems, including some that may occur some time after discharge. If you are at all concerned about your mental health, do seek help from your GP as soon as possible. Please be assured that there is no stigma attached to asking for help – you have served your country and you deserve support if your military experiences impinge on your wellbeing, physically or emotionally.
The MOD Medical Assessment Programme (MAP) offers expert mental health assessments to any veteran with mental health problems who has served in operations since 1982. The MAP can be contacted on 0800 169 5401 (free phone).
If You Have Problems Whether you are currently serving in the Armed Forces, a family member or a veteran, if you are unhappy about the healthcare services you have received, you should first discuss any problems with your clinician if possible. If you are attending an NHS hospital or clinic, you can also talk to Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) staff or the complaints manager. They can usually resolve your concerns on the spot, or can provide you with details of how to complain. You can also visit NHS Choices at
www.nhs.uk or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 for advice about what to do.
www.raf-families-federation.org.uk
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