Welcome to Scotland: A guide for Service personnel and their families in Scotland - updated 2024

Healthcare

Healthcare in Scotland is provided by Scotland’s public health service, NHSScotland.

NHSScotland consists of 14 regional NHS Boards who are responsible for the protection and improvement of their population’s health and for the delivery of frontline healthcare services. You can find more information on NHSScotland on their website.

Access to Healthcare

When settled in a place of residence in Scotland you and your family should register with a local doctor – a GP (General Practitioner). Your GP will be able to care for your health conditions and to provide treatment if you become unwell. Any prescriptions prescribed by your GP are free of charge. You can find more information on the NHS inform website.

Members of the UK Armed Forces and family members should have any previous NHS waiting times taken into account when moving to a new location, including to Scotland. The expectation is that treatment in your new location will be met within the waiting time standards and Treatment Time Guarantee, and according to clinical need.

You will need to register and inform your new General Practice that you need to be re-referred rather than a new referral. It is important you find out where you are on the list before your move.

Connecting Communities

The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) is a third sector organisation which helps connect people with local sources of support that will enable them to manage their own health conditions more effectively. Please visit the ALISS website for further information.

Registering with a Dentist

You and your family can get care, advice and treatment from NHSScotland to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy. Scotland also provides free dental checks. You can find a dentist near you using the links at Dental treatment - NHS Scotland | NHS inform.

NHS Eye Care

Scotland is the only country in the UK to provide free universal NHS-funded eye examinations. These are available to anyone ordinarily resident in the UK and to eligible overseas visitors. In some cases, the NHS will also give an optical voucher towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses. Please visit the NHS inform website for further details.

Waiting Well

You may be put on a waiting list to see a healthcare specialist or to get health and social care services. NHS Scotland have developed a website with information to support your health and wellbeing at this time.

Mental Health

NHSScotland provides mental health services that offer a range of treatments and self-help advice for those experiencing mild, moderate or more complex mental health problems.

The first point of call for accessing NHS care is usually your GP. You can discuss any issue with your GP who can also arrange referral to more specialist services if that is necessary. You can find more details regarding support and services on the NHS Inform website.

Other helpful services and resources are included below.

Breathing Space

Breathing Space offers free and confidential advice for people experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety, whatever the cause. They can be contacted on 0800 83 85 87, 6pm to 2am Monday to Thursday and 6pm Friday through the weekend to 6am Monday. Calls to Breathing Space are free from landlines and from mobile networks. You can access more information on the Breathing Space website. which provides a wide range of information and advice about coping with low mood, depression and anxiety.

Health in Mind

Health in Mind provides a pathway of services to support you with a range of mental health problems including anxiety, depression and the impact of trauma. More information on support and services available can be found on the Health in Mind website.

Mind to Mind

Mind to Mind provides practical resources and advice for anyone struggling with stress, anxiety and low mood or having trouble sleeping, managing debt or dealing with grief. More information can be found on the NHS Inform website.

Togetherall

Togetherall works with the MOD and the NHS to deliver support services for all serving personnel, reservists, veterans and their families 16+. They are experienced in supporting the Armed Forces, veterans and the wider military community with a range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, stress, PTSD, family & relationships, alcoholism, bereavement and adjusting to civilian life after the Armed Forces. Further information is available on the Togetherall website.

Forces Family Support

Forces Family Support provide assistance to the Armed Forces Community affected by addiction issues. They offer a helpline which is contactable at 0300 222 5747 every day from 9am to 9pm, group sessions support, one-to-one support and counselling. Further information can be found on the Forces Family Support website.

The Ripple Pond

The Ripple Pond solely supports the adult family members of physically or psychologically injured British Forces personnel and veterans. They offer online member peer support forums, specialist subject talks, workshops and events, virtual member meet ups, onward signposting and referrals and specialist one-to-one support. Further information and contact details are available on The Ripple Pond website.

Youngminds

Youngminds is the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people’s mental health. They offer support to young people, parents and those working with young people. Information and support is available on the Youngminds website.

V1P

Across Scotland, the Veterans First Point (V1P) centres provide a one-stop shop – easy access support service for veterans and their families in Scotland. Support is focused on practical issues (financial, employment, housing), as well as on mental health and wellbeing (social drop-ins, wellbeing programmes, therapy). More information is available on the V1P website.

V1P Centres are run by the NHS and staffed by veteran peer support workers and therapists who understand military life and veterans. Centres can be found in Lothian, Fife, Tayside, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and the Borders. To find out more or to access support call 0131 220 9920 or email veterans.enquiries@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk.

Combat Stress

Combat Stress provides a range of community, outpatient and residential mental health services to veterans with complex mental health problems. Combat Stress also offer a 24-hour helpline for serving personnel and their families.

The helpline is available all day, 365 days a year and provides free, confidential advice for veterans and carers, service personnel and their families. The Combat Stress website contains a broad range of Self Help Resources.

Website: www.combatstress.org.uk

Helpline Phone: 0800 1381619

Text: 07537 173683

Email: helpline@combatstress.org.uk

Support and Social Care

The Scottish Government is working in partnership with service users, carers, Local Authorities, NHSScotland, Integration Authorities, the Care Inspectorate and the voluntary and independent sectors to integrate health and social care services across Scotland. You can find all information in relation to Scotland’s social care at the NHS Inform website.

NHS Champions

Each NHS Board has a Armed Forces and Veterans’ Champion, who has volunteered to support veterans in their area who may have health-related concerns or issues.

Find your local NHS Champion on the Veterans Assist Scotland website.

Sexual Health/Family Planning Clinics

NHSScotland provides free sexual health services in Scotland. You can access professional and non-judgmental care on all family planning conception information, relationships and sexual health advice at Sexual Health Scotland or you can also visit your local GP.

Parent Club Scotland

Parent Club offers up-to-date guidance from the Scottish Government on your child’s health and education. It’s full of hints and tips from other parents and carers who’ve been there before. It also has advice to help you look after your own wellbeing and to point you in the direction of the support available.

Scotland’s Baby Box

Every baby born and living in Scotland is entitled to a Baby Box. This is an opt-in scheme, and expectant parents register to receive their box via their midwife, at approximately 20 weeks.

Further information on Scotland’s Baby Box can be found via the Scottish Government’s Parent Club website, or via your health professional.

In an Emergency

NHS 24 is Scotland’s telephone service providing health advice 24 hours a day. The telephone service allows people who feel unwell or those caring for them to obtain health advice if it is not possible to wait until they can visit their GP when the practice is next open. You can call them on 111 if you are ill or need any health services. Alternatively you can also access their website at NHS 24.

The advice line is not intended as a substitute for obtaining an emergency ambulance service. For all life-threatening emergencies you should still call 999.

You will find more information on all health-related topics including dental care, smoking, alcohol, food and nutrition and mental wellbeing on NHS Inform’s website at NHS Inform.