GP trainees learn about the needs of military veterans at Suffolk event

More than 50 GP trainees from across Norfolk and Suffolk spent the day with the military on October 14th for a practical look at the health problems military veterans can face. Several veterans described their experiences of health care both when in the forces and subsequently with the NHS, whilst delegates also talked to representatives of veterans’ charities such as Help for Heroes. All their stories were equally moving, from chronic musculoskeletal problems to post-traumatic stress disorder.

Special thanks go to Lt. Colonel Julian Woodhouse for coordinating and presenting the day so well, as well as to all the veterans and serving military personnel who contributed so much to making the day a success. There will be three more similar events across the east of England, in each of the other Workforce Partnership areas.

Health Education England is working to ensure veterans get the very best possible care through maintaining its work to ensure GPs can specialise in veterans’ health issues. We are also putting in place training to support staff in the NHS to become Veterans’ Healthcare Champions.

These new NHS veterans’ champions will work to raise awareness of the specific needs of veterans across the health care system, helping to ensure that our brave service men and women receive the very best possible health care. HEE continues to work with the Royal College of General Practitioners and its partners to explore how the existing e-learning package and uptake amongst GPs can be improved.

HEE will design a training programme/e-learning module for Veterans’ Health Champions, aimed at training health professionals to recognise, and raise awareness of, veterans’ health needs across primary, secondary and community care settings. HEE, through the LETBs, will work with employers and other partners to ensure this training is available for the whole health workforce before spring 2016.

For more information on the event, contact Ross Collett, Head of Norfolk and Suffolk Workforce Partnership.