Health and wellbeing services for armed forces personnel and their families
Source: gov.uk (2025-03-24)

Health and wellbeing support for service personnel, reservists, service families and veterans.

The MOD is committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of service personnel, reservists, service families and veterans both during and after service. The support available should enable a smooth transition from the care provided by Defence Medical Services (https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-medical-services) (DMS) to NHS medical care.

If your question is not answered on this page, please visit the NHS website: Healthcare for the armed forces community (https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-community/).

Access to healthcare during service

Healthcare for the armed forces is mainly provided at military medical centres and Regional Rehabilitation Units (RRUs) in military establishments:
- Royal Navy Medical Service (https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/royal-navy/health-and-welfare/)
- Army Medical Services (https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/army/health-and-welfare/)
- Royal Air Force Medical Service (https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/raf/health-and-welfare/)
Serving personnel also have access to free primary healthcare by DMS.

Access to healthcare when posted overseas

Service families will not lose their place on NHS waiting lists when they move as a result of an assignment. If you or a member of your family are on a waiting list for treatment and are due to be reassigned, tell your doctor that you are serving.

If you are undergoing IVF treatment for example, you can ask your chain of command to take note of your treatment cycles. While we cannot guarantee you won’t be moved for operational reasons, the department can look favourably on your case.

For further information, visit: Information and support for families (https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-community/families-support-information/).

Serious injuries and conditions

If you have a medical condition as a result of your time in service you are entitled to specialist NHS treatment appropriate to your needs and condition.

For more information, visit: Healthcare for serving personnel (https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-community/access-healthcare-in-active-service/).

There are ‘Recovery Pathways’ available for each service through the Defence Recovery Capability (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/defence-recovery-and-personnel-recovery-centres#the-defence-recovery-capability), designed to help sick and injured service personnel get back into service or civilian life.

For more information, visit: Healthcare for armed forces veterans, service leavers, and non-mobilised reservists (https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-community/veterans-service-leavers-non-mobilised-reservists/).

Compensation for injured personnel and veterans

If you were injured during service, you may be able to access compensation under the War Pension Scheme (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/war-pension-scheme-wps) (WPS) and the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/armed-forces-compensation-scheme-afcs) (AFCS).

Transport concessions for injured personnel and veterans

If you were injured during service, you will be able to join the Blue Badge Scheme (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/blue-badge-scheme) using your Service Medical Summary.

Seriously injured veterans in England will receive concessionary bus travel without going through more assessments. Northern Ireland (https://aftercareservice.org/), Scotland (https://www.veterans-assist.org/) and Wales (https://www.gov.wales/armed-forces-and-veterans) have separate transport policies for their veterans.

Mental health support

The mental health and wellbeing of service personnel, reservists, service families and veterans is a priority for the government.

Please visit the following pages for information on the mental health services available:
- Mental health support for the UK armed forces, reservists, veterans and service families (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mental-health-support-for-the-uk-armed-forces)
- NHS mental health support for serving personnel and reservists (https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-community/mental-health/serving-personnel-reservists/)
- NHS mental health support for veterans, service leavers and reservists (https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-community/mental-health/veterans-reservists/)
Healthcare support for families of serving personnel

There is a range of support and advice available for families of armed forces serving personnel and mobilised reservists.

For detailed guidance, visit: NHS Information and support for families (https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-community/families-support-information/).

Support for bereaved families

Each of the 3 services provides support to next of kin of deceased, missing and injured service personnel, initially though Visiting Officers (VO). Further support available to bereaved families includes:
- The Purple Book bereavement guide for families of service personnel (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/purple-pack-bereavement-guide-for-families-of-service-personnel).
- Cruse Bereavement (https://www.cruse.org.uk/) - offers comfort and counsel for grieving armed forces families.
- The Independent Inquest Advice Service (https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-support/how-we-help/financial-support/inquest-advice) is run by the Royal British Legion and jointly-funded by the MOD, supporting grieving families who are faced with the prospect of an inquest.
- The Defence Inquests Unit (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-defence-inquests-unit) manages all inquests into the deaths of service and MOD personnel that are the result of injuries sustained during operations and training.
- The Bereavement Scholarship Scheme (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-the-armed-forces-bereavement-scholarship-scheme) provides university and further education scholarships to children of service personnel whose death is attributable to their service.
Bereaved families can stay in service accommodation for up to two years after bereavement. Any resettlement entitlement a service person would have received is passed onto the bereaved spouse or civil partner.

Healthcare support during the transition to civilian life

The NHS leads and manages 7 regional armed forces networks which closely align with the military regional structures. Find out more here: Armed Forces support organisations (https://www.nhsemployers.org/articles/armed-forces-support-organisations).

The MOD also offers help in finding a new job, housing and healthcare after service: Support for veterans and their families (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/find-support-for-veterans-and-their-families).