Published on: 20 January 2025
This initiative is being offered as a collaboration between George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust, Veterans Contact Point, Warwickshire County Council, North Arden Primary Care Network and Nuneaton and Bedworth Primary Care Network.
The first checks will be offered as part of the ‘Brew and Banter’ events at the Veterans Contact Point Nuneaton Hub from Wednesday 22nd of January, with further sessions in different community locations to be released throughout the year.
As part of the organisations combined work in their commitment to the armed forces covenant; free, tailored health checks are being given to catch potential health problems early, allowing veterans to live healthier, more active lives.
“We are extremely proud to be offering free health checks to our veterans who we have a very close and important relationship with,” said Dr Catherine Free, Managing Director of George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust. “This initiative is our way of showing gratitude to those who have served our country.
“By providing early detection and prevention in a community setting, we can ensure that veterans have access to the care and support they deserve.”
The program is open to all veterans, regardless of age or the length of time since their service.
Len Hardy BEM, Chief Executive Officer of The Veterans Contact Point said: “This opportunity can potentially provide a life changing diagnosis and early intervention to North Warwickshire veterans and their families. The VCP is an integral part of this project providing support to veterans who attend".
Len, who is also a veteran himself, commented on his own personal circumstances that following a scheduled blood screening test which indicated problems he was subsequently diagnosed with Leukaemia (AM) and received treatment which is ongoing.
Len reflected "This would not have been detected if I had not had the routine blood screening at the George Eliot Hospital and I would encourage all North Warwickshire Veterans to take full advantage of this free health check opportunity.”
Dr Shade Agboola, Director of Public Health at Warwickshire County Council added: ‘Warwickshire is leading the way in finding innovative ways to support veterans' health needs.
We know from data and feedback that veterans experience poorer health than the general population in Warwickshire, and we are responding to that issue.
We have worked collaboratively with the Veterans Contact Point over many years, and they are the best agency to support the NHS and the council in reaching out to veterans and encouraging them to access this free, potentially life changing, support”.
Veterans interested in accessing the free health checks can visit www.