Trust accredited for veteran support standard
The Trust has been accredited as a Veteran Aware NHS organisation by the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA).
Formal accreditation as a Veteran Aware organisation recognises our work in identifying and sharing best practice across the NHS and modelling the best standards of care for the Armed Forces community.
The VCHA seeks to showcase high quality veterans’ healthcare and support NHS trusts to learn from each other by sharing what works. This includes committing to the Armed Forces Covenant, raising awareness among staff of veterans’ healthcare needs, and establishing clear links with service charities and local support providers.
The Trust is one of 62 across the country to have received the accolade.
Trust chief executive Rob Webster said: “We all owe a debt to our veterans. Receiving this accreditation demonstrates our commitment to the health and wellbeing needs of those who live locally. I am pleased to see this formal acknowledgement of the positive work we are doing, which includes setting up a veterans’ support network. This allows the Trust and our partners to work with local veterans and, hopefully, work together on developing services that meet their needs.”
Sean McDaid, nurse consultant and veterans covenant clinical champion, said: “The personal experiences of our local veterans can mean that their health and wellbeing needs are complex, so being recognised for being able to support them clinically is fantastic. It shows our commitment to making sure veterans get the right support when they need it.”
