“Have you, or an immediate family member, ever served in the UK Armed Forces?”

ASK campaign: Supporting the Armed Forces community

About the campaign

The ASK Campaign is a nationally supported initiative led by the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA). It encourages NHS staff in England to ask all patients:

“Have you, or an immediate family member,
ever served in the UK Armed Forces?”

Recording this question in the electronic patient record helps care teams:

  • Identify Armed Forces patients early
  • Provide personalised support
  • Connect individuals with specialist services

This simple step is part of the VCHA’s holistic model of care, which addresses the cultural, emotional, and physical needs of the Armed Forces community. It helps ensure that no one is left behind because of their service.

Why it matters

  • Improves patient outcomes through early intervention
  • Ensures fair access to dedicated services and support
  • Strengthens trust between patients and healthcare teams

Watch our quick explainer video (below) to see why asking this question is crucial – and how it helps healthcare teams deliver safer, more personalised care.

Contact us

For more information about the ASK campaign, email: rnoh.vcha@nhs.net. We’re here to support you as you support the Armed Forces community.

Staff testimonials:
Why we ASK

“Identification of the Armed Forces community within our hospitals is critical for ensuring that we meet the ethical and legal obligations of the Armed Forces Covenant.”
Alex Crick
Ms. Alex CrickConsultant Plastic Surgeon,
Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust
“By recognising and correctly recording their status, the NHS can provide both routine and tailored services that address these specific needs and avoid health inequalities.”
Cara Charles-Barks
Cara Charles-Barks Chief Executive, BSW Hospitals Group
“Recognising someone’s background ensures we don’t miss barriers specific to their lived experience, helping them access the right care with dignity and respect.”
Gregg Stevenson MBE
Gregg Stevenson MBEAmbassador, Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance

One question can make all the difference

“The nurse assessing me wore her “Veteran Aware” badge with pride and on mentioning I was an Army veteran, she mentioned she was an Army wife.

That shared background, that unspoken understanding…it really does make a difference.”

Sally Orange MBE, a patient at Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, has highlighted the positive impact of the ASK campaign after experiencing Veteran Aware care during a hospital visit.

While attending a pre-operative assessment ahead of surgery, Sally mentioned her military service to a nurse proudly wearing a Veteran Aware badge. As an Army veteran, this simple recognition immediately created a sense of understanding and reassurance during a stressful time.

During her visit, Sally also connected with a fellow veteran recovering from surgery, reflecting the strong sense of community and mutual support among members of the Armed Forces community.