0131 550 1561 office@veteransscotland.org.uk
Health and Wellbeing
Many of us leave the Services with long-term injuries; mostly physical, but sometimes psychological. And the system in civilian life is much more complicated than turning up to sick parade and then doing as you are told. But while it often takes much longer than we have been used to, it doesn’t need to because the NHS has promised to fast-track Veterans with service-related conditions.
The first thing you will need to do when you leave the Services is find a GP; you will find most GPs in Scotland in this section. If you don't currently have a doctor, use the GP locator to find one in your area.
Apart from the NHS, there are many Veteran-focussed charities ready to help, so make use of them if you need to. You will find their details here too, so please explore this section; it has a lot to offer.
Treatment within the NHS in Scotland for a service related condition.
Under long-standing arrangements since 1953, war pensioners were given priority NHS treatment for the conditions for which the received a war pension or gratuity, unless there was an emergency case or another case that demanded clinical priority. Recognition of the unique obligations and sacrifices made by those who have served continues to exist.
Under the terms of the Armed Forces Covenant, veterans should face no disadvantage when accessing NHS treatment as a result of military service, compared with the civilian population. Special consideration may be appropriate for those with conditions related to service.
Further information is available via the link Here
Scotland's Service Directory
Through Scotland's Service Directory you can find the names, addresses, opening times and service details for thousands of NHS services in Scotland. Further information is available via the link Here
NHS Self Help Guides
The NHS have produced a range of self help guides that cover a wide range of medical needs find out more here.
Healthcare support
Veterans First Point was developed by veterans to help ex-service men and women and their families adjust to civilian life. This includes help with:
- physical and mental health and wellbeing
- family and relationships
- housing
- socialising
- education
- employment
They have drop-in centres across Scotland. Find your nearest centre.
Phone: 0131 221 7090
Email: V1P.Scotland@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk
Combat Stress gives free specialist treatment to ex-service men and women for mental health and stress problems.
Phone: 0800 138 1619
Email: helpline@combatstress.org.uk
Prosthetics services
The National Prosthetics Service (NPS) is Scotland's centre for designing and fitting prosthetic (artificial) limbs. If you've lost a limb due to your service in the armed forces and were not fitted with a prosthetic at that time, you can discuss a referral to the NPS with your local GP.
NHS24 Daylight programme
Daylight is a digital programme to improve #anxiety based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (#CBT) and is free for NHS patients based in Scotland. Available on both iOS and Android devices, you can find out more by visiting: trydaylight.com/nhsinform
Murrayfield Medical Centre
Heather Titterington – Practice Manager
Tel: 0131 3372166 Fax: 0131 3135059
35 Saughton Crescent , Edinburgh EH12 5SS
Murrayfield Medical Practice
Delia Dickson – Practice Manager
Tel: 0131 337 6151 Fax: 0131 3135450
13b Riversdale Crescent , Edinburgh EH12 5QX
Mutual Support
Hilary Winstanley – Support Team Manager
Tel: 01476 861160 Email: support-team@mutual-support.org.uk
Mutual Support exists for serving and ex-serving members of the Armed Forces and Reserves, their dependants and carers affected by Multiple Sclerosis. Mutual Support, one of the MS Society’s National Support Groups, is run by volunteers with direct experience of MS and the Armed Forces and provides services and activities based on what people affected by MS have said they want.
Nairn Town and County Hospital
Narcotics Anonymous
National Deaf Children`s Society
Chris Ratcliffe – Director
Tel: 0141 248 4457 Fax: 0141 248 2597 Email: ndcs.scotland@ndcs.org.uk
187-189 Central Chambers , 93 Hope Street, Glasgow G2 6LD
National Gulf Veterans and Families Association
Maria Rusling – General Manager
Tel: 0845 257 4853 Email: info@ngvfa.org.UK-wide
Building E, Office 8 , Chamberlain Business Centre, Chamberlain Road, Hull HU8 8HL
The NGVFA is an independent charity supporting those affected by Gulf War 1 and Gulf War 2 (Iraq), the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, and all future desert conflicts. Those affected who are supported by the NGVFA include:
Veterans (whether ill or not)
Service personnel who were vaccinated but were non-deployed
Armed forces personnel who are still serving
Family members
Widows / widowers
Civilians contracted to the armed forces.
National Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline
– Scottish Women’s Aid
Tel: 0800 027 1234 Fax: 0131 226 2996 Email: contact@scottishwomensaid.org.uk
2nd Floor , 132 Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 3JD
Support, advice, counselling and specialist sessions for people dealing with alcohol-related issues in Aberdeen.
Nethergate Medical Centre
Mandy McGregor – Practice Manager
Tel: 01382 221527 Fax: 01382 226772 Email: mandymcgregor@nhs.net
2 Tay Square , Dundee DD1 1PB