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New Scheme to improve healthcare for veterans

Posted on November 6 2023 at 17:26

Veterans Minister Graeme Dey today announced the launch of the General Practice Armed Forces and Veterans Recognition Scheme across Scotland, following a successful pilot.

The move aims to benefit veterans and Armed Forces families by providing more tailored healthcare focused on the specific health challenges they may face following military service.

The national roll out of the scheme aligns with SVC recommendations and is a hugely welcome move. For most Service leavers, GPs are the gatekeepers to wider healthcare services, so an improved understanding of veterans’ needs is a pivotal step towards ensuring they can access appropriate health and wellbeing services in a timely manner.

Some members of the ex-Service community can struggle to adapt and find it difficult to access and navigate health care in a less familiar civilian world. They may feel that medical staff do not understand their issues and may be reluctant to seek help. Knowing that GP staff have received specialist training will hopefully make them feel more comfortable about asking for help.

The scheme provides easy access training materials for GPs to help increase understanding of veterans’ needs and the range of healthcare support that can be provided. The specific issues faced by veterans and Armed Forces families will also be set out in clinical case studies to help improve understanding among GPs. Participation in the scheme is voluntary and aims to improve awareness of the relevant support services available.

Like the rest of the Scottish population, veterans have the right to the highest possible standards of health care and to live long, healthier lives. No veteran should ever suffer disadvantage as a result of their military service when accessing health services in Scotland. I would urge all GPs to play their part in helping to meet the needs of the veterans community by signing up to the scheme.

This is a really positive step for veterans across Scotland and I look forward to hearing about its impact in due course.

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On Saturday I had the pleasure of joining a Borders veterans’ Big Breakfast in Kelso — a fantastic gathering that brought together veterans from breakfast clubs right across the region. My thanks to John Greenwell, Veterans Champion for Borders Council, for organising such a welcoming and well‑connected event. It was a valuable opportunity to hear directly from veterans living in the Borders, understand their experiences, and learn more about the support that matters most to them. It was inspiring to see veterans from different parts of the Borders coming together, sharing stories, and building connections that strengthen the whole community.
On Saturday I had the pleasure of joining a Borders veterans’ Big Breakfast in Kelso — a fantastic gathering that brought together veterans from breakfast clubs right across the region. My thanks to John Greenwell, Veterans Champion for Borders Council, for organising such a welcoming and well‑connected event. It was a valuable opportunity to hear directly from veterans living in the Borders, understand their experiences, and learn more about the support that matters most to them. It was inspiring to see veterans from different parts of the Borders coming together, sharing stories, and building connections that strengthen the whole community.
1 week ago
During my visit to Speyside I was reminded of the Highlands' legacy as a military training ground and of the enduring importance of nations standing together in times of crisis. At the Glenmore Visitor Centre I spent time at the exhibit on Kompani Linge, the Norwegian SOE unit who trained in the Cairngorma before carrying out sabotage missions against Nazi forces. Their bravery- including the famous Operation Gunnerside at Vermork- played a crucial role in preventing the Nazis from.developing an atomic weapon. Their story, honoured hynthe Norwegian Stone, remains deeply inspiring. I also visited the graves and memorial of Force K6 in Kingussie- 14 soldiers from.pre partition India( now Pakistan) who served with the Royal.Indian Army Service Corps. Their graves were.lovingly tended by local resident Isobel Harling BEM, whose own brother fell in WW2. The beautiful memorial, created eith Jndian stone and Cairngorm granite, was supported by Highland Council and the Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society, with the project led by Colonel Heather Taylor. A moving day and a powerful reminder of the shared histories and sacrifices that bind nations together. # KompaniLinge #ForceK6 #Speyside #Remembrance
During my visit to Speyside I was reminded of the Highlands' legacy as a military training ground and of the enduring importance of nations standing together in times of crisis. At the Glenmore Visitor Centre I spent time at the exhibit on Kompani Linge, the Norwegian SOE unit who trained in the Cairngorma before carrying out sabotage missions against Nazi forces. Their bravery- including the famous Operation Gunnerside at Vermork- played a crucial role in preventing the Nazis from.developing an atomic weapon. Their story, honoured hynthe Norwegian Stone, remains deeply inspiring. I also visited the graves and memorial of Force K6 in Kingussie- 14 soldiers from.pre partition India( now Pakistan) who served with the Royal.Indian Army Service Corps. Their graves were.lovingly tended by local resident Isobel Harling BEM, whose own brother fell in WW2. The beautiful memorial, created eith Jndian stone and Cairngorm granite, was supported by Highland Council and the Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society, with the project led by Colonel Heather Taylor. A moving day and a powerful reminder of the shared histories and sacrifices that bind nations together. # KompaniLinge #ForceK6 #Speyside #Remembrance
1 week ago
It was inspiring to visit Forces Manor in Kincraig, a remarkable not for profit facility that provides the Armed Forces Community with a comfortable place to stay, whether for Adventurous Training or rest and relaxation. I also visited the Speyside Trust's @badaguish_ centre which offers groups and families a warm.welcome.in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. No doubt a warm welcome awaits veterans wishing to experience the peace and majestic scenery of the Highlands.
It was inspiring to visit Forces Manor in Kincraig, a remarkable not for profit facility that provides the Armed Forces Community with a comfortable place to stay, whether for Adventurous Training or rest and relaxation. I also visited the Speyside Trust's @badaguish_ centre which offers groups and families a warm.welcome.in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. No doubt a warm welcome awaits veterans wishing to experience the peace and majestic scenery of the Highlands.
1 week ago
I was delighted to join the Grantown on Spey veterans club on Wednesday as they celebrated their second birthday- a wonderful milestone for a group that has become an important hub for local veterans and their families. It was fantastic to meet so many people who've helped to build this welcoming group over the past two years. The sense of camaraderie, connection and community dpirit was clear to see. Clubs like this make a real difference- tackling isolation, supporting wellbeing and giving veterans a place to share experiences and stay connected. Huge congratulations to everyone involved. Here's to many mote years of bringing people together in Speyside and beyond. #Speyside #Veterans #CommunityMatters #GrantownOnSpey
I was delighted to join the Grantown on Spey veterans club on Wednesday as they celebrated their second birthday- a wonderful milestone for a group that has become an important hub for local veterans and their families. It was fantastic to meet so many people who've helped to build this welcoming group over the past two years. The sense of camaraderie, connection and community dpirit was clear to see. Clubs like this make a real difference- tackling isolation, supporting wellbeing and giving veterans a place to share experiences and stay connected. Huge congratulations to everyone involved. Here's to many mote years of bringing people together in Speyside and beyond. #Speyside #Veterans #CommunityMatters #GrantownOnSpey
1 week ago
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