Are you a veteran, carer or young carer? Find out how telling Southend Coastal Surgeries can help you access NHS support, specialist services and local resources.
At Southend Coastal Surgeries, we’re proud to support two groups of people who often put others before themselves: veterans and carers.
Whether you’ve served in the Armed Forces, care for a loved one, or are a young person helping to support a family member, there may be services, support and resources available to you that you are currently missing out on.
The first step is making sure we know who you are.
Look Out for a Text Message from Your GP Practice
Over the coming weeks, patients registered with Southend Coastal Surgeries may receive a text message asking three short questions about whether they are:
- A veteran
- A carer
- A young carer
It takes less than a minute to respond, but the information you provide can help us identify patients who may benefit from additional support and specialist services.
There are no trick questions, no passwords to remember and no need to study beforehand. Just three quick questions that can help us provide the right care and support when you need it.
Veteran Support: Have You Served in the UK Armed Forces?
Many people are surprised to learn that anyone who has served in the UK Armed Forces for even a single day is considered a veteran.
As a Veteran Friendly GP Practice, we want to ensure that veterans within our community are correctly identified and able to access the services available to them.
Why Tell Your GP That You’re a Veteran?
Once your veteran status is recorded, we can:
- Ensure your medical record reflects your military service.
- Signpost you to NHS veteran healthcare services.
- Help you access specialist veteran mental health services such as Op COURAGE where appropriate.
- Signpost you to veteran-specific physical health services.
- Direct you to organisations that can provide support with housing, employment, finances and wellbeing.
- Ensure healthcare professionals understand your military background when it may be relevant to your care.
Many veterans are unaware that they may be eligible for specialist pathways and dedicated support services. Identifying yourself as a veteran helps ensure you do not miss out on help that has been specifically designed for the Armed Forces community.
Support for Armed Forces Families
The Armed Forces community includes not only veterans but also partners, carers and family members.
Family members can also benefit from being identified appropriately within healthcare services, helping professionals understand their circumstances and signpost them to relevant support when needed.
Useful NHS Links
- NHS Armed Forces Community: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-community/
- NHS Op COURAGE Veterans Mental Health Service: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-community/mental-health/veterans-reservists/
Carer Support: Are You Looking After Someone?
Many people provide regular support to a family member, friend or neighbour without ever thinking of themselves as a carer.
If you help someone because of:
- Illness
- Disability
- Frailty
- Mental health difficulties
- Addiction
- A long-term health condition
you may be a carer.
Are You a Young Carer?
Young carers are children and young people under the age of 18 who help care for someone at home.
You might be helping a parent, sibling, grandparent or another family member by providing emotional support, helping around the house, attending appointments or assisting with day-to-day tasks.
Young carers often do an incredible job but may not realise that support is available for them too.
Why Tell Your GP That You’re a Carer?
Once we know that you are a carer or young carer, we can:
- Record your caring responsibilities on your medical record.
- Signpost you to local carer support services.
- Help you access information about carers’ assessments and available support.
- Consider your caring responsibilities when planning your healthcare.
- Provide wellbeing advice and health promotion support.
- Connect young carers and families with specialist services.
- Help identify signs of carer stress, fatigue or burnout before they become more serious.
Carers spend so much time looking after others that they often forget to look after themselves. By identifying yourself as a carer, you’re helping us support your health and wellbeing too.
Useful NHS Links
- NHS Support for Carers: https://www.nhs.uk/social-care-and-support-guide/support-and-benefits-for-carers/
- NHS Information for Young Carers: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/children-and-young-adults/advice-for-parents/young-carers/
Three Questions. One Minute. A Big Difference.
When you receive our text message, please take a moment to complete it.
Your answers help us identify veterans, carers and young carers within our practice population, ensuring that we can connect you with the most appropriate support, services and resources available.
Whether you’ve served your country, care for a loved one, or quietly help someone every day without expecting recognition, we want to make sure you receive the support you deserve.
After all, heroes don’t always wear uniforms and they certainly don’t always wear capes. Sometimes they wear school uniforms, carry shopping bags, organise medications, attend appointments and simply show up every day for the people who need them.
If that sounds like you, please answer the text when it arrives.
It only takes a minute, but it could make a lasting difference.
Southend Coastal Surgeries is proud to be a Veteran Friendly GP Practice and to support veterans, carers, young carers and Armed Forces families across our Essex community.
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