Supporting Service Members With The Medical Discharge Process – Case Study
Helping Services Members Navigate the Medical Discharge Process
Leaving the Armed Forces through medical discharge is a significant life change, often filled with uncertainty. Many active service members and veterans find themselves questioning how they will manage their ongoing medical care, secure stable employment, and adapt to civilian life after years of the more structured, systematic lifestyle in the military.
At Veterans Welfare Group, we recognise these challenges and provide specialist guidance, practical support, and a strong community for those navigating this transition. Through our dedicated medical discharge support services, we help Service Leavers and Veterans understand their entitlements, access the right resources, and move forward with confidence.
This case study follows the journey of John (a pseudonym), a current serving member of the Royal Navy undergoing medical discharge. His experience reflects the struggles many face and demonstrates how Veterans Welfare Group’s discharge support services make a real difference.
The Challenges of Medical Discharge From the Armed Forces
For many service members, the medical discharge process is not just about leaving the Armed Forces—it’s about facing an uncertain future. The transition can be overwhelming, especially when mental health struggles, lack of support, and complex paperwork make the process even harder.
This was exactly the situation for John (a pseudonym), a serving member of the Royal Navy who first contacted Veterans Welfare Group in November 2024. At the time, he was struggling with his mental health and wasn’t receiving the support he needed.
“I felt lost. I didn’t know what I needed to do or where to even start.”
Without proper guidance, many service leavers risk missing out on entitlements, delaying their treatment, or making uninformed decisions about their future. For John, the lack of clear direction left him feeling angry and frustrated. That’s when he reached out to Dean, Veteran Welfare Groups’ Welfare Lead, who had been through the same process and as such understood exactly what John was going through.
The Difficulties of Navigating Medical Discharge Alone
When John first reached out to Veterans Welfare Group in November 2024, he was struggling—both mentally and emotionally. The Medical Discharge Process was overwhelming, and he felt he had no clear direction.
“I was struggling with my mental health and wasn’t receiving any support. I had no idea where to start or what I needed to do.”
Like many Service Leavers facing medical discharge, John had countless unanswered questions. When can I register with a civilian GP and what will happen with regards to my ongoing treatment? What benefits could I be entitled to? What happens if I am still unfit to work when I leave? The uncertainty only made things more complicated.
“Dean put me at ease straight away. It was obvious he knew exactly what I was going through—he’d been there himself.”
With Dean’s guidance, John began to understand the steps he needed to take, from requesting a copy of his medical records to researching his pension and compensation options. But more than anything, he finally had someone in his corner, ensuring he wasn’t navigating the process alone.
How Veterans Welfare Group Helped John
From their first conversation, Dean prioritised ensuring John felt supported, informed, and prepared for the challenges ahead. Unlike generic advice, Dean’s guidance came from personal experience—having been through the medical discharge process himself, he understood exactly what John was facing.
“Dean wasn’t just offering advice—he is someone who had lived through it. That made all the difference.”
One of the first things Dean helped John with was understanding his entitlements. He encouraged John to request a copy of his medical records, a step that many service members overlook. When John finally obtained them, Dean carefully reviewed the details and identified multiple errors of care/treatments John hadn’t noticed and wouldn’t have as he expected his care to have been of the highest standard being in the military. These inaccuracies could have impacted his future medical care but has made John realise how these errors have led to his medical discharge.
“I have contacted Dean so many times since our first call, and he has always made time to talk me through things”
“The medical discharge process isn’t just about leaving the military—it’s about rebuilding your life. Veterans Welfare Group’s support doesn’t stop at discharge; they continue to guide you through the next steps.”
Rehabilitation and other services
We at Veterans Welfare Group have also strengthened our rehabilitation services by welcoming two new medical experts to our team:
Mr. Richard Williams (Chief Medical Officer) – A former Royal Navy Medical Officer with extensive frontline experience.
Dr. Jamie Barsky (Clinical Lead – Wellbeing) – A specialist in psychological assessments and mental health support.
With their expertise, we offer the Armed Forces Rehabilitation Pathway, providing veterans with high-quality, personalised support to help them transition successfully.
In addition to medical discharge guidance, we also support ex and active military personnel with a wide range of support, including:
- Employment & Training – Help with CV writing, interview preparation, and job placement.
- Financial & Legal Assistance – Guidance on pensions, Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS), and benefits.
- Mental Health & Wellbeing Services – Access to counselling, peer support, and psychological assessments.
- Specialist Medical & Rehabilitation Services – Support for ongoing healthcare and treatment plans.
- Relocation Support – Assistance finding stable housing after leaving the military.
Help is available for those of us currently facing discharge. If you or someone you know needs support, we encourage you to contact Veterans Welfare Group today.
