Services

a woman lying on a bed

Sick/Fit Note Certificates

GP Referrals

Referrals
a close up of a device

Test Results

Op COURAGE – Mental health support for veterans

Op COURAGE – Mental health support for veterans

Op COURAGE is an NHS mental health specialist service which provides specialist care and support for service leavers, reservists, veterans and their families

How Op COURAGE can help

Op COURAGE can help you and your family with a range of support and treatment, including:

  • supporting you with care and treatment if you’re in a crisis
  • helping you transition from military to civilian life by providing mental health care
  • supporting armed forces families affected by mental health problems
  • helping you recognise and treat early signs of mental health problems and psychological trauma
  • helping you to access other NHS mental health services if you need them
  • helping you get in touch with charities and local organisations who can support your wider health and wellbeing needs, such as housing, relationships, finances, employment, drug and alcohol misuse and social support

Contacting Op COURAGE

You can contact the service in many ways, including:

  • directly getting in touch yourself, or through a family member or friend
  • asking a GP to refer you
  • asking a charity to refer you

Call 0800 652 2867 or email VTILS@cntw.nhs.uk

Continuity or Care

Continuity of Care

Our practice is working to improve continuity of care, but what does this mean for you?-At this practice, we believe you will get the most effective care if you have a strong relationship with your Doctor. Seeing the same person when you attend is one way of strengthening that relationship and we are working hard to make sure that is possible.

Why are we doing this?-Over the past few years, there has been lots of publicity about how important it is to see your doctor quickly, but there is also lots of evidence that seeing the same person is just as important as seeing someone rapidly.

What sort of evidence?-If you see the same person, or small team of people, over a number of appointments then the levels of trust between you both are likely to grow. Studies have shown that increased trust leads to a better experience because patients are:

  • more satisfied and more likely to have a good relationship with their GP
  • less likely to have to go to A&E or be admitted to hospital
  • more likely to follow the advice given and take positive steps to look after their own health
  • more likely to receive good quality of care
  • will not need to go to hospital as often

Are there any disadvantages?-It may be that sometimes we ask you to wait a little longer for for an appointment so we can make sure you see ‘your’ doctor. If you have an urgent problem, we will always make sure that you are seen as quickly as we can.