Have you served in the Military?
Please note that Royton & Crompton Family Practice support military veterans and it is important you let us know if you have served in the armed forces. When servicemen and women leave the armed forces if you let us know it will help us better understand any service-related health conditions that you may have and ensure that you are referred, where appropriate, to dedicated services for ex-forces. If you've recently left the armed forces, it's important to give your GP the paperwork that your military medical centre gave you, including any medical records. This will help to ensure your military health record transfers to your NHS health record. It will also give your GP information on your health and ensure that any ongoing care and treatment is continued. Being flagged as a veteran in your NHS medical notes will help to ensure that you are able to access dedicated services for those who have served in the UK armed forces. These include services for mental health and physical health conditions. You should not be disadvantaged from accessing appropriate health services, so it's important that you notify your current GP if you're moving, particularly if you're on a waiting list for medical treatment, so this information can be transferred across. All veterans are entitled to priority access to NHS care (including hospital, primary or community care) for conditions associated with their time within the armed forces (service-related). But this is always subject to clinical need and doesn't entitle you to jump the queue ahead of someone with a higher clinical need. If the NHS service you're dealing with is unaware of priority treatment, you're actively encouraged to tell them about it and ensure you have told them you have served. Personalised care programme If you have served in the UK armed forces and have a complex and lifelong health condition, you may be eligible for the veterans personalised care programme. This is to ensure you have more choice and control over how your care is planned and delivered. It is based on what matters to you, meaning that you can choose how best to live your life and get the right support to do so. If eligible, you will have a single personalised care plan for all your health and wellbeing needs that is developed with you and a range of organisations, including health and social care and military charities. As part of this, you may get a personal budget to pay for some of the care and support you need. You should also get more support in the community and be able to access a range of help, such as emotional and practical support from people who have similar health conditions
There are lots of groups, clubs and services in and around Oldham that would love you to get involved with them.
Below are links to just a few, along with a brief introduction of what they have to offer
Oldham Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club: https://www.afvbc.net/clubs/oldham/ This club meets every third Saturday of the month at The Brittania Tavern (470 Hollins Road, Oldham OL8 4LB). Like minded people can get together for a laugh, a chat, support and breakfast.
Veterans in Community (VIC): http://veteransincommunities.org/index.html This group offer a range of activities which are run by veterans or retired members of the emergency services. The range of activities include; walking, horticulture, allotments, social trips, helping the local community with small projects, training opportunities, outreach in local areas, art groups, craft groups, and a Singing Group. Why not take a look at the VIC Newsletters: http://veteransincommunities.org/newsletters.html
SSAFA: https://www.ssafa.org.uk/greater-manchester – the Armed Forces charity, formerly known as Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association, is a UK charity that provides lifelong support to serving men and women and veterans from the British Armed Forces and their families or dependents.
The Royal British Legion: http://counties.britishlegion.org.uk/counties/greater-manchester/membership/branches/royton - meetings take place at Royton Cricket Club (Bransdale Avenue, Oldham, OL2 5TX) on the last Thursday of every month at 8pm.
Andys Man Club http://andysmanclub.co.uk/ This club is driven towards helping all males who may be struggling with their metal health, not solely Military Veterans.
A great place to find information on local groups is the paper: https://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/community/A/829/social-groups These groups are not just aimed at Military Vets, they are open to all.
If you know of any groups and would like them to be added to this page please email OLDCCG.patientcontact@nhs.net with their information.
Have you heard about 'Social prescribing'?
'Social prescribing” helps people find the support they need in their community to improve or manage their health, tailored around their personal circumstances and in line with their own goals, interests and motivations. Take a look at the links below for further information.
https://oldhamcares.com/thriving-communities/social-prescribing/
http://oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/139/main-news/130763/social-prescribing-set-to-grow-further-in-greater-manchester
Did you know?
All veterans are entitled to priority access to NHS care (including hospital, primary or community care) for conditions associated with their time within the armed forces (service-related).
This is always subject to clinical need and doesn't entitle you to jump the queue ahead of someone with a higher clinical need.
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/military-healthcare/priority-nhs-treatment-for-veterans/