Moving can be stressful at the best of times but when it’s a regular occurrence, sometimes at short notice, it can be more challenging. AFF often receives enquiries about transferring healthcare and patient records, so Karen Ross, AFF Health and Additional Needs Specialist, looks at some of the support available when moving during service and also when leaving the armed forces…
NHS APP
The NHS App may allow you to book appointments (although some GP practices don’t allow this function), order repeat prescriptions and choose a pharmacy to collect them from and access your GP health record, so you can see information about your allergies and medicines. Some GP practices allow access to more detailed information like your test results. You can also find your NHS number, register organ donation and use NHS 111 to get local advice and medical help.
To use the app you must be over 13 and registered with a GP surgery in England or the Isle of Man. Young people aged 13–15 will need to contact their GP practice first to access login information and verify their identity. Parents or guardians can request to have their children’s records linked to their account if they are under 13.
If you are registered at a Defence Medical Services (DMS) medical practice, you cannot use the app currently.
If you live in Scotland, you can download the NHS 24 Online App. This can help you to find your nearest healthcare services and to assess your symptoms and find the support and treatment you require.
If you live in Wales, you can access the NHS Wales App but you must be registered with a GP practice in Wales that has connectivity to the app and you must also be aged 16 or over. The NHS Wales App will give you access to health advice, organ and blood donation and access to NHS 111 health advice.
REGISTERING WITH A GP PRACTICE
When you move from one location to another in England you will transfer from one Integrated Care Board (ICB) to another. To find which ICB your care will come under, search ‘ICB’ at nhs.uk. You can also find information on the GP practices in your new location at nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-gp
If you’re undergoing treatment, taking medication or are on an NHS waiting list for treatment, it’s important to request a summary of your patient health record before you move, as this can be given to your new GP practice so they have information before your patient records are transferred.
When you register with a GP practice, it can be beneficial for you to inform them that you are a member of the armed forces community and this can be recorded via a code, which is 988811000000102 for families of serving members of the armed forces. The code is 702348006 for those who are on active military duty and there are others for reservists and veterans. One of the benefits of using these codes is the access you may be eligible for through the NHS Op services that include Op COMMUNITY, Op COURAGE, Op RESTORE and Op NOVA.
If you are due to leave the armed forces or have just left, see nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-community for details of other Op services.
NHS VETERAN FRIENDLY ACCREDITED GP PRACTICES
When looking to register with an NHS GP practice in England, it’s worth checking if it’s Veteran Friendly accredited. It’s important to register with a practice as soon as possible and tell them you’ve served/are a service family, rather than wait until you need treatment.
The Veteran Friendly accreditation scheme by the Royal College of GPs and NHS England enables GP practice teams to easily identify, understand and support veterans and their families.
If you’re not sure whether a practice is accredited, you can ask them. Similar schemes are available in Scotland and Wales.
For information on the scheme, email army veteran Dr Jo Ferguson, joanne.ferguson15@nhs.net
Ashlee Manning
OP COMMUNITY
The Op COMMUNITY model of care has been introduced by NHS England in eight pilot sites around the country.
It aims to make sure the armed forces community is able to access NHS services, recognising the key issues that may affect military life.
Ashlee Manning and Lauren Young are the armed forces community leads for Op COMMUNITY in Hertfordshire & West Essex. Their role involves reaching out to the armed forces community, including carers and families, to provide ‘social prescribing’ support.
Social prescribing provides personcentred care by asking individuals specifically what matters to them. The team can then help families to navigate the options to find a service, activity or group in the community that fits their practical, social and emotional needs.
Ashlee and Lauren help with mental health, housing, loneliness, job seeking and signposting to other organisations. They provide advice and guidance on how to use the NHS, including how to continue current treatment and/or keeping NHS waiting list places. They can also liaise with armed forces charities and organisations if needed.
To contact the team, phone 07940 177581 or email hcns.HWEAFCfamiliesveterans@nhs.net
CASE STUDY
Richard* self-referred his family to Op COMMUNITY. His family had been relocated multiple times, and as a result his wife was removed from their previous dental practice. Having recently given birth, Richard’s wife was unable to access the NHS maternity exemption for dental care as they were still on a waiting list.
Following a private appointment, she discovered that a double root canal was needed, and an infection was taking hold. The couple had tried to register at a dentist in the new location before moving but had not been able to do this.
The Op COMMUNITY link worker was able to suggest multiple dentist practices that could support Richard’s wife and called the practices on her behalf. The worker made it clear that they were a serving family and asked that they were placed on the shortest waiting list. Subsequently the waiting time was reduced to two weeks.
*Name has been changed to protect identity
Op COMMUNITY was introduced as part of the NHS Long Term Plan and Armed Forces Forward View commitment to the armed forces community. The pilots are being evaluated to inform future models of care for the armed forces community.