GPs have been criticised for the healthcare and support they give military veterans.

A damning report by watchdog Healthwatch Lancashire found just 6 per cent of the county’s military veterans are confident GPs can provide health services they need.

It found that nearly half of people who support veterans said they did not feel that GPs are knowledgeable about veteran specific services in their area.

The report comes as part of a three-month long project with the aim of garnering what military veterans think and feel about the services they receive.

The project has seen staff and volunteers from Healthwatch engage with people in a variety of settings and groups including veteran’s breakfast clubs and military veteran events.

The report said: “It came to light that one of the biggest issues that military veterans

face with regards to health and social care services is access to services that are designed

specifically for this community.

“It appeared that GPs may not have the necessary knowledge of NHS services, charities and third sector organisations in order to appropriately signpost military veterans to services that will improve their mental and physical wellbeing.

One military veteran said: “The GP is not knowledgeable and has no records, possibly doesn’t even know I’m a veteran.

“They build up people’s hopes with false information, there needs to be better understanding of military veterans and the administration around their treatment.”

Another military veteran said: “I feel that the services are there, but we are expected to go find the right one and access it ourselves.

“It has already taken months/years for a veteran to admit that they need help, build the confidence to go to the doctor, so to then be told to go find and attend support groups elsewhere is a kick in the teeth and the veteran then gives up. “

The project saw the watchdog engage with organisations working with military veterans in Lancashire, such as The Royal British Legion.

Lancashire Care, the county’s main mental health organisation, said veterans can receive support from its military veterans’ service.

It supports people suffering mental ill health caused by military service.

A Lancashire Care spokesman said: “The service is here to support and listen to those suffering with anything from stress, depression, alcohol and substance misuse, anger problems and post-traumatic stress disorder.

“The service is made up of a team of specialists who understand the culture of the armed forces and can provide help for anyone who is experiencing stress or other emotional difficulties.

Jackie Hanson, chief nurse at East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “Veterans may find it difficult speaking to clinicians as they do not have a particular understanding of war trauma, therefore military veterans organisations provide the familiarity and understanding that so many veterans require.

“Mental illness is a condition exacerbated by military service and the NHS needs to listen and learn from the experiences of veterans.”

The CCG said that GP learning tools on armed forces health are being finalised with Health Education England and the Royal College of GPs.

Health Education England e-Learning for Healthcare, with support from NHS England, has also launched an e-learning programme to help increase understanding of the armed forces population and facilitate improved care and support.