If you are in danger or immediate risk, ring 999.
If you need urgent help or medical assistance, call 111.
On this page
General welfare
Talk to your GP about issues you’re facing and tell them you’ve served in the armed forces.
Healthcare for the armed forces community (NHS UK) - for information on the help available if you are in military service or a veteran.
Defence Medical Welfare Service (DWMS) - an independent charity providing medical welfare to those who have, and continue to, serve on the frontline.
Registering with a GP as a veteran
The NHS is responsible for nearly all community, general practice and hospital services for veterans the families of veterans.
It’s important to register with a GP (General Practitioner) as soon as possible, especially if you are on any medication or continuing some other type of treatment or care. Since 2015 you are able to choose which GP practice you register at, but these arrangements are voluntary for GP practices so they may still refuse your registration. You can find more information including a suitable GP on the NHS website.
Requesting your Defence Medical Services (DMS) Health Record
You must give your F MED 133 Medical History on release from HM Forces to the practice you register with. If your doctor requires more of your medical information, they can request it from:
Royal Navy / Royal Marines
RN Service Leavers
Institute of Naval Medicine
Crescent Road
Alverstoke
Gosport
Hampshire
PO12 2DL
British Army
Secretariat Disclosure 3 (Medical)
MP 525,
Army Personnel Centre
Kentigern House
65 Brown Street
Glasgow
G2 8EX
Royal Air Force
ACOS (Manning)
RAF Disclosures
Room 14
Trenchard Hall
RAF Cranwell
Sleaford
Lincoln
NG34 8HB
Mental health
Op COURAGE (NHS UK) - is a veteran's mental health and wellbeing service provided by the NHS, for mental health support and urgent help.
Samaritans - Samaritans works with the Ministry of Defence and other charities to support serving personnel in the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families.
Combat Stress - Combat Stress is the UK's leading veterans' mental health charity, supporting almost 6,000 veterans with substance misuse, resilience building and trauma-focused therapy.
Walking with the Wounded - for 1-2-1 private therapy for ex-service personnel with mild to moderate mental health difficulties such as depression, anxiety, PTSD and adjustment disorder.
Drugs, alcohol and gambling
Addiction Family Support - Forces Family Support is a specialist service provided by Addiction Family Support, specifically designed to assist armed forces communities affected by a loved one’s harmful use of alcohol, drugs, or gambling.
Drug addiction: getting help (NHS UK) - If you need help for a drug problem, you're entitled to treatment from the NHS in the same way as anyone else who has a health problem.
Gambling is an addictive behaviour which is increasing recognised as a public health issue. Studies have found that military veterans are likely to have higher gambling rates than non-veterans, with even higher rates seen in veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and those who are male. Short length of service (less than four years), younger age, and mental health and alcohol problems are also associated with gambling at a harmful level among veterans.
East Midland Gambling Harms Service (NHS UK) - a service focused on supporting people in the East Midlands who are facing harm due to gambling or gambling related issues.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, February 25, 2026