The Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA) Veterans Rehabilitation Network has published the first edition of its newsletter, focusing on the health and healthcare experiences of female veterans. 

This edition highlights current evidence on chronic pain, musculoskeletal health, and mental health, helping clinicians better understand the long-term impact of military service on women. 

The newsletter also features the new Female Veterans’ Transformation Programme toolkit, providing practical guidance to improve identification, accessibility, and inclusivity of services. Updates on the national NHS Armed Forces healthcare training and education programme and an upcoming virtual Therapy Forum are also included. 

Publsihed quarterly, the newsletter supports the delivery of informed rehabilitation and healthcare for members of the Armed Forces community across the NHS. 

Register for our newsletter here.

Prof Tim Briggs CBE, VCHA National Lead, said: “Understanding the unique experiences of female veterans is essential to providing tailored, effective care. This newsletter equips clinicians with the knowledge and resources needed to make healthcare services more inclusive and responsive for the entire Armed Forces community. “

Linus Cosgrove, VCHA Rehabilitation Lead, said: “Our goal with the Veterans Rehabilitation Network is to shift from awareness to action. By focusing on specific themes like female veterans and chronic pain, we can share actionable tools—like the new toolkit—that therapists can use immediately in their clinics. We want to ensure that every female veteran walking into an NHS service feels seen, understood, and supported.”