Did you know Bancroft Medical Centre in Hitchin is an officially accredited veteran friendly GP practice?

This week, June 21 to June 27, marks Armed Forces Week, an opportunity to celebrate the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community across the country including Hitchin.

In support of Armed Forces Week, Hertfordshire County Council, on behalf of The Hertfordshire Armed Forces Covenant Board, known locally as Hertfordshire Heroes, is encouraging veterans in the county to share their service history with local GP practices to ensure they have access to the valuable support available to them.

Hertfordshire Heroes are advocating for veterans to share their service history with their GPs who can grant priority access to support and care when necessary.

Former Military GP, Doctor Henry Grundy-Wheeler said: "When accessing healthcare, it is always important that veterans feel able to share their service history, so they can be made aware of the wide range of support available to them.

"As part of the military covenant, various organisations led by the Government, allow priority access to veterans for certain treatments related to service attributable or service acquired medical complaints.

"Therefore, sharing your service history with your GP will allow access to a range of bespoke services that may be pertinent to a veterans health. In some instances, this priority access can result in faster treatment and prevention of long-term health conditions."

This additional support for ex-servicemen and women includes direct referrals to both specialist physical and mental health services such as the NHS' Op Courage Service, as well as referrals for social prescribing for supportive military charities such as The Royal British Region.

Helping Hertfordshire GP practices become more veteran friendly has been a key priority for the Armed Forces Covenant Board, as the partnership looks to deliver the Armed Forces Covenant locally and ensure that veterans have access to all the services available to them.

Veteran Ashlee Manning, who now works as a Social Prescriber and GP Link Worker for HCNS (Herts Help Hospital & Community Navigation Service) added: "I served in the Royal Logistics Corps when I was only 16.

"When I left, I struggled to re-adapt. Moving from the Army to being a civilian again was difficult - especially being a veteran in my twenties - but I was too proud to reach out for help.

"I realise now it took courage to reach out and I have never looked back since. Since doing the Social Prescribing, it's really opened my eyes to the amount of support out there within the community, and how many professionals are really keen to help."

Armed Forces Day is celebrated on June 26

For veterans who wish to find out more about the healthcare options available to them, please visit www.hertfordshireheroes.org/healthcareforveterans.