NHS providers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have been accredited as exemplars of the best care for veterans, helping to drive improvements in NHS care for people who serve or have served in the UK armed forces and their families.
As part of the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA), Veteran Aware Trusts volunteer to drive improvements in veteran care in line with the Armed Forces Covenant to ensure members of the armed forces community do not face disadvantage when accessing NHS services.
A mark of distinction
This mark of distinction means that those patients will be cared for by frontline staff who have received training and education on their specific needs, such as around mental health, and who can signpost them to relevant local support services. Trained staff will also provide leaflets and posters to veterans and their families explaining what to expect.
Alloway: Health and care staff going above and beyond
Dr Lara Alloway, Interim Chief Medical Officer for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, said,
“I’m delighted to see we are leading the way in veteran care for the armed forces community and their families in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
“There are fantastic examples of health and care staff going above and beyond to support our armed forces community across the Integrated Care System and I’m incredibly proud.”
Bronze and Silver Awards
Among the 22 Veteran Aware Trusts in the South East region, the Isle of Wight NHS Trust received its bronze accreditation in 2022. In June 2023, the Trust was awarded the Silver Award for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme by the South East Reserve Forces’ Cadets’ Association (SERFCA).
As one of the Island’s main healthcare providers, serving just under 16,000 veterans, the Trust recognises how important it is to drive improvements to care for people who serve or have served in the UK Armed Forces and their families.
Parker: The accreditation demonstrates our commitment
Steve Parker, the Isle of Wight NHS Trust Medical Director, said,
“We were extremely proud to have joined colleagues across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, in achieving the Veteran Aware Accreditation.
“The accreditation demonstrates our commitment to provide high quality care and support to our veteran community, and we are excited about the next steps to further strengthen our services, including achieving the Silver Award for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.”
Patients who serve or have served in the Armed Forces and their families are asked to let a member of staff know when attending hospital so that the team can best support their care needs. By recording a patient as veteran in their health care record, trained healthcare staff will help to ensure they are able to access specific veteran’s health services.
News shared by Isle of Wight NHS Trust, in their own words. Ed
