A veteran is someone who has served in the armed forces for at least one day
There are around 2.8 million veterans in the UK
(if you reside in a commonwealth country or an ex pat, check your local health authority)
When servicemen and women leave the armed forces, their healthcare is the responsibility of the NHS.
It is highly important for continuing healthcare (even if you left light years ago) that you register with an NHS GP and remember to tell them you’ve served. Telling the GP practice about your veteran status will trigger the transfer of your full medical documentation from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to your GP and enable you to benefit from veteran-specific services, like prosthetics and mental health.
Find GP Services in the UK “http://www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/GP/LocationSearch/4“
All veterans (even if you left light years ago) are entitled to priority access to NHS care (including hospital, primary or community care) for conditions associated to their time within the armed forces (service-related).
However this is always subject to clinical need and does not entitle you to jump the queue ahead of someone with a higher clinical need.
If the NHS service you are dealing with is unaware of priority treatment, you are actively encouraged to tell them about it and ensure you have told them that you have served.
DON’T GET SHUFFED OFF OR PUSHED ASIDE, YOUR ENTITLED
HAD YOU SERVED IN THE USA, THE VA SYSTEM WOULD LOOK AFTER YOU
SO IN THE UK, BE PUSHY AND FIRM BUT WELL MANNERED
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