A new GP initiative will see veterans benefit from improved and more tailored healthcare, the Scottish Government has announced.
Following a successful pilot, the General Practice Armed Forces and Veterans Recognition Scheme is now open to GP surgeries across Scotland on a voluntary basis.
The programme provides GPs with easily accessible training materials to help them better understand the specific healthcare challenges posed following military service.
This will include clinical case study examples to further enhance knowledge across general practice.
The programme is a collaboration between NHS Scotland, NHS Highland and the Scottish Government.
Kirriemuir Medical Practice were one of the first sites to sign up to the scheme.
Veterans and their families will benefit from more tailored medical support through a new GP scheme focused on the challenges they face after military service.
— Scottish Government Veterans (@scotgovveterans) November 6, 2023
Veterans Minister @GraemeDeyMSP visited Kirriemuir medical practice to find out more.https://t.co/NuQqy79fNX pic.twitter.com/W3ND0abADc
On a visit to Kirriemuir, Scotland’s minister for veterans, Graeme Dey, said: “This is an important step forward in providing more support and I encourage GP surgeries to find out more about this scheme.
“The pilot has already had a significant impact in helping veterans and armed forces families, and that will only increase as more GPs sign up.
“We are working hard to support our veterans and armed forces community in Scotland. This is especially important at this time of year as we remember and recognise the sacrifices they have made to keep us safe.”
Scott Jamieson, who is a GP at Kirriemuir, added: “As a Veteran myself I know first-hand some of the challenges that veterans and forces families can face. I want to encourage other GPs to get involved with the scheme which can make a real difference.”
He continued: “It's great to have helped develop and pilot this programme to ensure that the care we deliver is considerate to some of the unique challenges our Forces communities face.”
Image credit: iStock
