Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Pathway – National Framework

Annex A

Definitions/ Glossary of terms

• Armed Forces Covenant: a UK Government framework for the duty of care Britain owes to its Armed Forces and Veterans. It is a promise to ensure that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly
• Clinical intervention: any evidence-based activity undertaken with the objective of improving health either through prevention or treatment of illness by an appropriately trained and registered healthcare professional
• Non-statutory service provider: a provider of services that are not mandated by law and may not be funded by the government
• Primary care: the first point of contact with the NHS
• Quality improvement: a systematic approach that uses specific methods to improve outcomes for patients
• Secondary care: specialist healthcare services accessed through a referral from a primary care provider such as a GP
• Statutory service provider: a provider of a public service mandated by law and funded by the government
• Veteran: anyone who has served for at least one day in His Majesty’s Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve) or Merchant Mariners who have seen duty on legally defined military operations
• Veterans community: former and current service members of a nation's armed forces and their families
• Veterans Link Scotland: a veterans lived experience group created and hosted by the Scottish Government. The purpose of the group is to provide a safe space where veterans can draw on their lived experience to offer guidance and advice to the Scottish Government and influence aspects of service design and delivery
• Veteran peer support worker: a member of the veterans' community who helps veterans to navigate the healthcare system and, where necessary, provides advocacy support and signposting to other relevant services