This Armed Forces Day, the NHS proudly celebrates a historic achievement: every NHS trust in England is now officially accredited as Veteran Aware. This nationwide milestone reflects the NHS’s deepening commitment to the Armed Forces community – including serving personnel, reservists, veterans and their families -ensuring they receive personalised, informed, and compassionate care throughout their healthcare journey.
Accreditation is awarded by the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA) and signals that a trust understands and responds to the unique experiences and needs of the Armed Forces community. It shows that no matter where or when someone has served, they can access NHS services that respect and recognise their background.
Supporting the whole Armed Forces community
While the Veteran Aware programme originated to address the health needs of former service personnel, its scope has grown to reflect the reality that support is needed across the whole Armed Forces community. Accreditation means NHS trusts are now publicly committed to improving healthcare access and outcomes not only for veterans, but also for serving personnel, reservists, and the families who stand alongside them through deployments, transitions, and beyond.
This aligns with the core principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which pledges that no member of the Armed Forces community should face disadvantage in accessing public services – and in some cases, should receive special consideration due to the sacrifices they or their families have made.
National recognition, local impact
Veteran Aware accreditation represents more than a title – it reflects meaningful, standardised action across all NHS trusts in England. Each trust has met eight core standards set by the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA), ensuring consistent, compassionate care for the Armed Forces community. These standards include: identifying patients with a Forces background; training staff to understand the needs of veterans and service families; appointing Armed Forces Champions to lead and support this work; embedding the Armed Forces Covenant into Trust policies; raising awareness through visible public messaging; building partnerships with military charities and local support organisations; collecting feedback from Armed Forces patients to inform improvements; and reporting annually to maintain accountability and progress.
We have met key standards to be
- We understand and are compliant with the Armed Forces Covenant.
- We have a clearly designated veterans and Armed Forces champion.
- We identify veterans and Armed Forces community status to ensure they receive appropriate care.
- We train and educate our staff about the needs of veterans and Armed Forces community.
- We have established links to appropriate nearby Armed Forces community services.
- We will refer veterans and Armed Forces community to other services as appropriate.
- We raise awareness of veterans and Armed Forces community.
- We support, as an employer, the UK Armed Forces.
Professor Tim Briggs CBE, Chair and National Lead of the VCHA, said:
“Reaching 100% accreditation is a remarkable national achievement – but more importantly, it’s a meaningful step for the Armed Forces community. Whether someone is currently serving, has served, or is a family member, they deserve care that understands their context. Every NHS trust now stands ready to deliver on that promise. We’re proud to champion this collective commitment to those who give, and have given, so much.”
Looking ahead
This milestone marks a turning point for the NHS in delivering on its promise to uphold the Armed Forces Covenant across the healthcare system. But the journey doesn’t stop here. Over the coming months, a national training and education programme for staff will be rolled out across NHS trusts in England, enabling healthcare professionals to recognise members of the Armed Forces community so they can provide personalised care and improve health outcomes.
Beyond the NHS, an increasing number of independent healthcare providers and hospices in England are stepping forward to become Veteran Aware accredited — a powerful signal that the commitment to the Armed Forces community is growing beyond the NHS and reaching across the wider healthcare landscape.
On this Armed Forces Day, we reflect not only on the courage and service of our Armed Forces, but also on our shared responsibility to care for them and their families in return.
To learn more about the NHS Veteran Aware programme and what it means for the Armed Forces community, visit www.veteranaware.nhs.uk
Congratulations to the accredited and re-accredited organisations for June 2025
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the NHS trusts, independent healthcare providers and hospices that achieved accreditation or re-accreditation in June. Your commitment and dedication help ensure that every member of the Armed Forces community receives the care, respect, and understanding they deserve. Thank you for being part of this vital endeavour.
June 2025
Accredited
Independent Healthcare providers and Hospices
North Yorkshire Hospice Care
Practice Plus Group, Birmingham Hospital
Re-accredited
NHS trusts
Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
What Is the Armed Forces Covenant?
The Armed Forces Covenant is a pledge by the nation to ensure that those who serve or have served in the UK Armed Forces – and their families – are treated fairly.
It means that:
They should not be disadvantaged in accessing public and commercial services, including healthcare.
In some circumstances, special consideration may be appropriate, particularly for those who have given the most, such as the injured or bereaved.
It is supported by public, private, and voluntary organisations across the UK, including NHS trusts, local authorities, businesses, and charities.
The NHS’s commitment to the Covenant is one of action — ensuring Armed Forces patients feel seen, understood, and supported at every stage of care.
