NHS Veteran Priority Services

If you’re a veteran, reservist, serving member of the Armed Forces, or part of a military family, you may be entitled to priority NHS healthcare for conditions related to service. This page explains what NHS Veteran Priority Services are, who they’re for, and how to access the right support, including mental health services tailored to the Armed Forces community.

What Are NHS Veteran Priority Services?

Under the Armed Forces Covenant, the NHS has committed to ensuring that veterans are not disadvantaged when accessing healthcare — and that those with service-related conditions are considered for priority treatment, subject to clinical need.

In practice, this means:

• Veterans should receive timely access to NHS care for service-related conditions
• NHS staff are encouraged to consider military service as part of clinical assessment
• Veterans can access specialist NHS services designed around Armed Forces experiences

You are classed as a veteran if you have served at least one day in the UK Armed Forces.

Who Can Access Priority NHS Support?

NHS Veteran Priority Services may apply to:

• Veterans (Regulars and Reserves)
• Serving personnel registered with NHS services
• Some spouses, partners and carers where their health needs are directly linked to supporting a veteran

Eligibility depends on the service and the nature of the condition, but telling your GP about your service is the key first step.

Why Veteran-Aware Healthcare Matters

Military service can affect health in ways that aren’t always immediately visible — or easily explained without context.

Forces-friendly NHS services understand:

• The impact of deployment, transition and resettlement
• Service-related mental health challenges such as PTSD, anxiety and depression
• Long-term physical injuries and chronic pain
• The knock-on effect of service life on families and relationships

Key NHS Veteran Mental Health Services

Op COURAGE

Best for:
Veterans, reservists and in some cases family members experiencing mental health challenges.

What it offers:

• Early mental health support
• Treatment for anxiety, depression and PTSD
• Specialist care for complex needs
• Help with transition, housing and employment signposting

You can usually self-refer to Op COURAGE without a GP referral.

Op RESTORE

Best for:
Veterans with service-related physical injuries or long-term health conditions, including musculoskeletal injuries, chronic pain or conditions linked to military training or deployment.

What it offers:

• Specialist NHS assessment for service-related physical health needs
• Referral into tailored rehabilitation and treatment pathways
• Support for complex or long-term physical conditions linked to service
• Care delivered by clinicians who understand military injury patterns

Op RESTORE works alongside GPs and hospital services to ensure veterans receive appropriate, timely care for physical health conditions connected to their service.

Veteran-Friendly GP Practices

Many GP surgeries across the UK are now accredited as Veteran Friendly Practices.

These practices:

• Ask patients if they have served
• Record veteran status on medical records
• Understand priority treatment commitments
• Know how to refer into veteran-specific NHS pathways

What About Families and Carers?

While NHS priority treatment is focused on veterans, the NHS recognises that families and carers are often affected by service-related health issues.

In some cases:

• Partners and carers may access mental health support linked to supporting a veteran
• Families may be signposted to specialist NHS or charity services
• Children and young people may receive targeted support where service life has had an impact
  

How to Access NHS Veteran Priority Services

1. Tell your GP or clinician you’ve served
   Ask for your veteran status to be recorded on your NHS record.
2. Explain if your condition is service-related
   This helps clinicians consider priority pathways.
3. Ask about veteran-specific NHS services
   Including Op COURAGE or local veteran-aware services.
4. Use Troopr to compare support options
   Find NHS, charity and community services that work together.
   

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does priority treatment mean I’ll jump the queue?
No. Treatment is always based on clinical need, but veterans should not face disadvantage due to service history.

Do I need a war pension or medal to qualify?
No. Any service, even one day counts.

Is NHS veteran mental health support confidential?
Yes. NHS services are delivered confidentially by trained professionals.

Can I self-refer?
Many NHS veteran mental health services allow self-referral, depending on your location.

Find the Right Support on Troopr

Troopr brings together NHS services, Armed Forces charities and Forces-friendly organisations so you can explore your options with confidence.

Browse NHS mental health support for veterans

Compare Forces-friendly wellbeing services near you