Veteran Friendly

Veteran Friendly

Veterans often have distinct physical or mental health needs, and many hesitate to seek help because they worry clinicians won’t understand their background. Veteran‑friendly surgeries aim to remove that barrier by ensuring staff are trained, informed, and proactive.

What This Means for You

  • Proactive identification: We ask all patients if they have served and record this in their medical notes.
  • Accurate veteran coding: We use the recommended SNOMED codes to ensure veterans can access the right support.
  • Staff training: Our team receives training to understand the physical, mental, and social challenges veterans may face.
  • Tailored referrals: We connect veterans with specialist NHS services and trusted charities such as the Royal British Legion and Combat Stress.
  • Dedicated support: A named clinical lead is available for veteran‑related health concerns.

Armed Forces Outreach Services

Armed Forces Outreach Services

 

These run in ten locations around the county and each one is held monthly. 

We offer an informal drop-in service where we can support with any number of issues as well as combatting social isolation and loneliness.

We have representatives from different charities, DWP, health etc available.

Details are on the website https://nhssomerset.nhs.uk/armed-forces/

 We also do blood pressure monitoring, have a range of health promotion information available, audiology support etc.

Op Restore

Op RESTORE, The Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service is an NHS service that supports individuals who have served in, or are leaving, the UK armed forces and have continuing, physical health injuries and related medical problems attributed to their time in the armed forces. It is hosted at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

Working together with military and civilian medical professionals, along with armed forces charities, our teams understand military life and the longer-term care and support that may be required for veterans, service leavers, reservists, families and carers. Op RESTORE Flyer Sept 24.pdf

MSK Physiotherapy Triage and Self referral form

This self-referral form has been designed to ensure we can give you the most appropriate support

Please complete all the questions fully as the more information we have about your symptoms the better we are able to support you. Please remeber to tick the Armed Forces Box. 

Audiology Self Referral

Patients registered with a GP in Somerset are now able to self-refer into Audiology (Hearing Services).

Our Self-Referral Service enables patients over the age of 18, who have problems with their hearing, to refer directly for a hearing test and hearing aids as required.

Hearing assessment clinics will take place at the Taunton and Yeovil Diagnostic Centres.

Self-referral is not applicable to patients requiring urgent support or medical care. This may include recent history or ongoing issues with, ear infections, pain, discharge, imbalance, facial weakness or sudden deafness. Where self-referral is not applicable, referrals can be made via your GP. The online referral form will assess your eligibility for the self-referral pathway.

If you have experienced sudden deafness you need to seek immediate medical attention via your GP or A&E.

Page last reviewed: 21 January 2026
Page created: 21 January 2026