Step-by-step guide for service leavers

Find information and support to help you move from military healthcare to civilian healthcare after leaving the armed forces.

Leaving the armed forces can be a daunting process to undertake. Understanding what options you have and what actions you can take will help make your transition from military healthcare to civilian healthcare as smooth as possible.

Changes to healthcare when you leave the armed forces

After your discharge date, you will move from military healthcare to civilian and veteran healthcare.

Most of your treatment will come through NHS services, which includes dedicated healthcare services designed to support veterans.

This includes services that support veterans mental health.

Actions to take when moving to civilian healthcare

If you are unsure of what to do when you leave the armed forces, there are several actions you can take to make your transition from military to civilian healthcare easier.

Collect your summary medical records and documents

You can get 3 documents when leaving the armed forces that can help continue your healthcare without disadvantage. These are:

• an NHS welcome letter that explains the process of transferring from military healthcare to an NHS GP surgery and civilian dentist, as well as information on what a GP can do to help you as a veteran
• a form (FMed133A) that includes important details for your GP surgery, including a summary of medical treatments, vaccinations and specialist care received
• a paper copy of your summary medical records, which contains more detailed information about the medical treatment you have received while in the armed forces

You will usually receive the NHS welcome letter and the form during your final medical assessment at the end of your discharge period. If you do not receive them, ask a doctor at a medical centre to get them for you as soon as possible.

You will not usually be given a paper copy of your summary medical records unless you ask a doctor at your medical centre. It is better to ask for this earlier in your discharge period as it may take a while to arrive if they agree to provide a copy.

Talk to a medical officer about continuing treatment

If you receive specialist healthcare treatment or are medically discharged, it is important to ask a medical officer about how you can continue your treatment after your discharge date.

There are services who can provide support and treatment to you during your discharge period and after your discharge date. These include:

• Op RESTORE: for physical injuries caused during service
• Op COURAGE: the Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service

Ask a medical officer about getting a referral to these services if you need them.

Register with an NHS GP surgery

It is recommended that you register with a GP 1 to 3 months before you are discharged, or as soon as possible after this if you have not already.

Some GP surgeries are veteran friendly. This means they have a better understanding of veteran-specific issues and health services.

You can contact any GP surgery before registering to find out if it is veteran friendly.

Registering as soon as you can means your GP surgery may be able to request your complete military medical record from Defence Medical Services (DMS) before the end of your discharge period.

Your GP surgery will automatically receive any previous NHS medical records you may have when you register.

Once your GP surgery has your full military medical records, a GP can give you better healthcare advice, as well as quickly refer you to any specialist care you might need.

Help your GP access your military medical records

When you first visit a GP at your NHS GP surgery, it is important to give them the medical summary form (FMed133A) you received when you were discharged from the armed forces. This form includes the details needed for them to request your complete military GP medical records from DMS.

Once you have given them your form, you can check with a GP at a later date to make sure your full medical records have been requested.

It usually takes several months for your GP surgery to receive your military GP records.

You can also give them a paper copy of your summary medical records if you got one during your discharge period. They might need this if they do not have access to your full military medical records yet.

Once a GP has your medical records, they will be aware of your medical history and can give you the treatment you need.

You can also give them your NHS welcome letter. This provides information to them about how to help you.

Tell a GP to record you as a veteran in your NHS medical records

When you first visit your GP surgery, it is important to tell a GP or other clinical member of staff that you are a veteran.

Ask them to record this in your NHS medical records if it is not already there. They can do this by putting a specific code that represents veterans into your medical records.

Being flagged as a veteran means you are more likely to receive specialist veteran care and consideration, and GPs can refer you to specialist veteran services if you need them.

Find a dentist

Your NHS welcome letter will also encourage you to find a dentist.

It is important to do this as soon as possible.

You may need to find a dentist for your family too.

Finding a dentist sooner rather than later allows you to continue getting dental treatment with less of a wait. It also means you can get urgent treatment closer to when you need it.

Find more information about getting dental care

Leaving the armed forces as a Commonwealth, Gurkha or Nepali veteran

You will not get free healthcare from the NHS after your discharge date from the UK armed forces if you are:

• a citizen of a member of the Commonwealth
• a Gurkha citizen
• a Nepali citizen

You will receive free healthcare up to your discharge date.

In order to receive free healthcare through the NHS after this date, you must gain indefinite leave by using the immigration rules and process.

The process may differ depending on how long you served and where you served, as well as if you have family members who are also looking to settle in the UK.

GOV.UK: Find more information on settling in the UK after serving in the armed forces

Get support during your transition period

There are many services and organisations that can support you as you prepare to leave the armed forces, or after you have left.

These services cover various issues, including healthcare, welfare, financial support and family care.

Veterans Welfare Services (VWS)

The Veterans Welfare Service (VWS) provides one-to-one advice and support to all veterans, their families and carers. This includes veterans who have been medically discharged.

VWS also supports serving personnel who need help applying for financial support.

It is run by Veterans UK, which is part of the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

GOV.UK: Find more information and get in touch with the Veterans Welfare Service

Defence Transition Services

Defence Transition Services (DTS) help service leavers and their families by providing tailored one-to-one advice and support to help you as you leave the armed forces.

It is run by Veterans UK, which is part of the MoD.

DTS work closely with the service leaver and their family to access support specific to your situation. They can introduce you to other services and organisations if you need help from them, and will help identify, assess and support your individual and family needs.

There are many ways to access DTS, including:

• self referral
• referral from another service or organisation
• referral from your in-service unit

GOV.UK: Find more information about DTS, including how to access it

Veterans UK

Veterans UK is part of the MoD.

They provide free support for serving personnel, reservists, veterans and their families, including:

• an urgent helpline
• running the Veterans Welfare Service and Defence Transition Services
• helping access support from government, local and charity organisations
• funding compensation scheme payments

GOV.UK: Find more information about Veterans UK

GOV.UK: Contact Veterans UK

Armed forces personnel in transition: Integrated Personal Commissioning

Integrated Personal Commissioning is an approach to personalised care for armed forces personnel who have complex physical, neurological or mental health conditions as a result of injury whilst in service.

This includes:

• an improved military discharge planning process starting about 9 months before you leave the armed forces
• working with you, the MoD, health and social care, armed forces charities and other organisations to develop your personalised care and support plan
• involving family members or carers where appropriate
• support from a dedicated Veterans Welfare Manager

This service is only available for service leavers with specific health and well-being needs. You cannot self-refer.

If you are eligible, you can only access this service through a referral from medical staff while you are on the Defence Recovery Pathway, including if you are at a Personnel Recovery Centre or a Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre.

Find more information on armed forces personnel in transition: Integrated Personal Commissioning

Specialist services for veterans

If you are a veteran with specific physical or mental health problems, a GP may be able to refer you to a number of specialist services during or after your transition from the armed forces.

There are many different types of services, including:

• support for disabled veterans
• welfare support
• financial help
• mental health services
• physical health services
• family and carer support

Find more information on veterans healthcare and specialist services

Find more information on veterans mental health services