Our work with NHS and non-NHS bodies
Accreditation
Accreditation is available to all NHS trusts in England, hospices and the independent healthcare sector. There is also a similar scheme available for the accrediting of care homes.
Accrediting is a robust yet straightforward process and your organisation will be supported, every step of the way by an appointed regional lead. Your organisation may already be meeting some or all of the eight accreditation standards.
The Process
- Meet with regional lead and agree your Armed Forces leads / champions.
- Discuss the standards required to become accredited (this may depend according to what type of provider you are).
- Gather evidence – this website provides guidance on what evidence you could share.
- Provide all evidence on the application form and review with the support of your regional lead.
- Application is submitted to the VCHA steering group for approval.
- Veteran Aware Accreditation is awarded.
- Re-accreditation reviews are held after 12 months, and every three years thereafter.
Your Regional Lead will work with you throughout the process.
There is no charge to providers. The VCHA is funded by the NHS England Armed Forces healthcare team to deliver Veteran Aware status for all NHS trust providers in England.
The process – from initial expression of interest to completion of application submission – should take around six months. It can be quicker with the appropriate supporting evidence. We recognise that sometimes organisations require longer due to operational pressures, your regional lead will support you where needed.
What evidence is required?
This will depend on what type of organisation you are and whether this you are accrediting or reviewing. It will also depend on whether you apply for, or hold, bronze, silver or gold Defence Employer Recognition Scheme standard (ERS).
Accreditation standards
1. The organisation understands and is compliant with the Armed Forces Covenant
2. The organisation has a clearly designated veterans and Armed Forces ‘Champion Team’.
3. The organisation identifies veterans and Armed Forces community-status patients to ensure they receive appropriate care.
4. Staff at the organisation are trained and educated in the needs of veterans and the Armed Forces Community.
5. The organisation has established links to appropriate nearby Veteran and Armed Forces community services.
6. The organisation will refer veterans and Armed Forces community patients to other services as appropriate.
7. The organisation raises awareness of veterans and the Armed Forces community.
8. The organisation supports the UK Armed Forces as an employer.
Next Steps
Express your interest to us .
Register with or access our FutureNHS page.
Supporting providers to become Veteran Aware
Regional support network
Shares good practice and discusses challenges. Veterans’ champions in different providers can contact each other for information and advice.
Linking to other services
The VCHA helps members establish links to other services provided for the Armed Forces community, including those provided by the NHS, charities and the Ministry of Defence.
Education and training
The VCHA directs members to a variety of education and training resources for staff training.
Awareness
The VCHA can provide template leaflets, posters and other materials, explaining that the Trust is ‘Veteran Aware’ and what this means for patients.
Accreditation and recognition
The regional leads support providers through the accreditation (and
re-accreditation) process to demonstrate they meet the ‘Veteran Aware’ accreditation standards in the Manifesto.