NHS Veterans Trauma Network: Specialist Care for Service-Related Injuries

The Veterans Trauma Network (VTN) was established in 2017 as a specialist NHS service for veterans with complex physical injuries attributable to service. The 10 regional centres are connected through a hub-and-spoke model coordinated by NHS England:

• Hub: Defence Medical Welfare Service and the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine at Birmingham.
• Spokes: 10 NHS centres of expertise across England, each with veteran-specific clinics and pathways.

The VTN provides:

• Specialist orthopaedic care for complex limb and joint injuries.
• Plastics and reconstructive surgery for burns and scarring.
• Complex amputation rehabilitation including socket fitting and prosthetics through Headley Court legacy services.
• Traumatic brain injury assessment and rehabilitation.
• Audiology — hearing loss and tinnitus from blast and noise exposure.
• Pain management for chronic and complex pain.
• Ophthalmology for blast eye injuries.

The network operates within the NHS so all referrals come through GPs or NHS specialists. Service is free at the point of use.

Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service was created in 2021 as a unified branded entry point to NHS mental health services for veterans. It absorbs three previous services — the Veterans' Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service (TILS), the Veterans' Mental Health Complex Treatment Service (CTS), and the Veterans' Mental Health High Intensity Service (HIS).

Op COURAGE provides:

• Mental health assessment by clinicians experienced with veterans.
• Treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, complex PTSD, alcohol and substance dependency, suicidal ideation.
• Trauma-focused therapy (EMDR, prolonged exposure therapy, narrative exposure therapy).
• Group programmes for shared service experience.
• Crisis response for acute presentations.
• Family support — recognising the impact of veteran mental health on partners and children.
• Liaison with employers, housing services, addiction services where needed.

Service is free. Self-referral by phone (0800 952 1029) or through your GP. Crisis access is via NHS 111 option 2 (mental health) or 999 for immediate risk.

You can access VTN and Op COURAGE if you:

• Have served at least one day in HM Forces (Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army, Royal Air Force, Reserve Forces).
• Are now resident in England (for the NHS England-funded services). Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have parallel veterans' services.
• Have a condition that may be attributable to service. Causation does not have to be proved before accessing care — assessment determines clinical need.

No proof of service is required at the point of access — but you may be asked for ID confirming service (Veteran ID card, MOD form 90 discharge document, or other evidence). Op COURAGE in particular emphasises that the service is for anyone who has served, regardless of length or type of service.

Veterans of pre-1970 service can access. Reservists can access. Service personnel currently serving cannot use the civilian VTN — they use the Defence Medical Services. Once discharged, they become eligible.

Routes:

1. For mental health (Op COURAGE): phone 0800 952 1029 (8am-8pm Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm Sat-Sun). Self-referral. Alternatively, ask your GP to refer.
2. For physical health (VTN): ask your GP for a referral to the nearest VTN centre. They will coordinate with the receiving specialist.
3. Crisis: NHS 111 option 2 for mental health crisis; 999 for immediate risk to life. Mental health A&E liaison and crisis teams are available 24/7.
4. For specific support pathways (alcohol, drug dependency, family support): Op COURAGE coordinates internal referrals once you are in the system.

The Veteran-aware accreditation: NHS hospital trusts increasingly hold the Veteran Aware accreditation, indicating training in veteran-specific health needs. Around 80% of acute trusts have it as at 2024. Veteran identifiers on NHS records help signpost appropriate referrals.

Veterans services in the NHS coordinate with the veterans' charity sector for non-clinical support:

• Combat Stress (0800 138 1619): historically the leading veterans' mental health charity. Now mostly NHS-coordinated but retains crisis service.
• Help for Heroes (0808 168 2233): physical and mental recovery support, family programmes, return-to-work.
• Walking with the Wounded: employment and skills programmes for wounded, injured, sick veterans.
• SSAFA — the Armed Forces charity (0800 731 4880): general welfare support, financial advice.
• Royal British Legion (0808 802 8080): welfare, financial assistance, advocacy.
• Veterans' Gateway (0808 802 1212): single number to find the right charity or service.

The NHS Veterans Trauma Network and Op COURAGE are the primary clinical routes; charities provide complementary services and act as bridges where families need support that goes beyond the clinical scope.