The NHS Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA) marked a significant milestone at its Annual National Conference 2025, held online on Wednesday 17 September, by celebrating that every NHS trust in England is now part of the VCHA alliance. The achievement, reached in May 2025, signals a nationwide commitment to delivering enhanced, tailored care for the Armed Forces community.
This year’s event, themed “Raising The Bar Higher,” brought together NHS colleagues, independent care providers, hospices, partner organisations and members of the Armed Forces community for a dynamic day of collaboration, innovation, and shared learning. In his welcome address, Professor Tim Briggs CBE, VCHA Chair and National Lead, praised the dedication of healthcare teams across the country, urging them to build on this success by sharing best practice and striving for even higher standards. He further expounded on the success by presenting the strategic update from the VCHA.
The conference continued with VCHA National Team Lead Guy Benson’s welcome message, followed by an inspiring address from the patron of the VCHA, General The Lord Richard Dannatt.
Louise Sander-Jones, Minister for Veterans and People, delivered the keynote speech, reaffirming the government’s support for the Armed Forces community. Meanwhile, Kate Davies, Director of Health and Justice, Armed Forces and Sexual Assault Services Commissioning for NHS England. provided the NHS England Armed Forces healthcare update.
Further highlights included presentations from VCHA Regional Trainer Sarah Kirkby about her military family journey, VCHA Regional Lead David Wood on Continuous Quality Improvement, Dr Mary Keeling on the Centre for Evidence for the Armed Forces Community, Claire Rick from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and Nicky Murdoch, Independent Chair for NHS England’s Armed Forces Patient and Public Voice Group.
National Lead Guy Benson presented the NHS National Armed Forces Healthcare Training and Education Programme launching in November 2025.
The afternoon sessions featured VCHA regional trainer Ele Wilson’s account as a female and mother veteran, Sharon Deans and Jane Kelly from East London NHS Foundation Trust, Andrew Cowderoy’s research presentation, a recorded interview by VCHA project officer Helen Hurst with Matt Fellows and Hugo Goodbody from St Michael’s Hospice in Hereford, Kevin Garrod and Naziya Ali from Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, and an inspiring military veteran journey from Josh Boggi.
The day concluded with an engaging panel discussion and closing remarks from Professor Briggs.
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The conference reaffirmed the NHS’s commitment to providing the best possible care for the Armed Forces community, with attendees leaving energised to raise the bar even higher.
