Op RESTORE: The Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service (formerly the Veterans Trauma Network VTN) is an NHS service providing specialist care and treatment to veterans who have physical health problems as a result of their time in the armed forces.
The service follows existing NHS pathways and is currently available across England and Wales. It has been recognised that some veterans have specific physical health problems related to their service. The expertise to deal with these problems can be found in the consultants who support Op RESTORE (VTN). Getting you to the right team will be better for you and will support your family and GP. Op RESTORE will also help you and your families to access other kinds of non-medical help and advice.
It is a collection of 12 NHS Veteran Trauma Centres and four specialist units, each with military and civilian medical experts who will be able to help you with your physical service-related health problem. They will work with you to develop the best clinical plan for your needs.
Op RESTORE will not necessarily prioritise you over other NHS patients - the aim is to get you to the teams who can understand your needs and deal with them appropriately. Your care will be prioritised on clinical need as would happen with any NHS patient, but in the spirit of The Armed Forces Covenant. No other NHS patient will be disadvantaged by you seeking help.
Op RESTORE will put you in touch with a Veteran Support Worker who will make contact with you to learn about your circumstances – both medical and non-medical. The Support Worker will guide you through the treatment pathway of Op RESTORE, as well as ensuring you are signposted to the specialised support available for veterans and their families.
Despite the name “trauma”, Op RESTORE deals with all physical health problems in veterans as a result of their time in service - from recurrent illness and problems after limb loss, to traumatic brain injury and service-related fertility issues. We are closely linked to Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service and charities, such as BLESMA and Blind Veterans UK which can offer comprehensive care focused on your needs.
Op RESTORE can support:
- if you have a physical health problem of any type or severity
- if your physical health problem is a result of time in service
- if you live and are registered with a GP practice in England
- no matter when your physical health problem first appeared
- no matter when you left the armed forces
Op RESTORE can support by:
- providing personalised treatment within the NHS
- treating through military and civilian clinicians who understand the military environment and specialise in the type of physical health problems you have
- helping families and carers of veterans with physical health problems access appropriate support services
- working closely with many organisations, including GP surgeries, specialist NHS services, and military and non-military charities
A GP can refer to Op RESTORE.
You can be referred even if you were not medically discharged.
Op RESTORE (VTN) centres are located in:
- Birmingham
- Leeds
- London (Royal London Hosp)
- Brighton
- Liverpool
- Middlesborough
- Bristol
- London (St Mary’s Hosp)
- Nottingham
- Cambridge
- London (Kings College Hosp)
- Oxford
The specialist units are located in:
- East Grinstead
- Frimley
- Preston
- Salisbury