King Charles has paid a special visit to Chatfield Health Care in Battersea ahead of Remembrance Day to meet veterans and hear how local GPs are supporting those who’ve served.
The King was welcomed by staff including GP partner Dr Waqaar Shah and GP and veteran Dr Shane Barker, who shared how being an accredited Veteran Friendly practice is helping former armed forces personnel access the tailored care they need.
There are an estimated 1.74 million veterans in England, and research shows many struggle in silence with physical or mental health problems, often worried that civilian health professionals won’t understand their experiences. At Chatfield Health Care, staff are trained to understand and treat health issues that commonly affect veterans, such as hearing disorders, musculoskeletal conditions, and mental health needs.
During the visit, the King heard that the simple question “Have you ever served in the armed forces?” can open the door to specialist NHS support such as Op Courage, which helps veterans with mental health conditions and psychological support, and Op Restore, which supports those with physical injuries linked to service.
Dr Barker said: “We often don’t know who our veterans are. They tend to be self-sufficient and carry more trauma, both physical and mental. We’re working to overcome that so we can identify and help them.”
Since becoming one of England’s 4,450 accredited veteran-friendly GP practices in 2021, the practice has identified 49 veterans among its patients and believes many more could benefit from their help. The team runs monthly dedicated clinics and works closely with charities and social prescribers to tackle the high rates of mental health issues and homelessness seen in the veteran community.