Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust has successfully completed its three-year re-accreditation, following a formal review by the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA).
On 7 February 2022 the Trust received its formal re-accreditation status from the VCHA. The VCHA is a group of NHS healthcare providers in England committed to providing the best standards of care for the Armed Forces community, based on the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant.
The Armed Forces Covenant – which recently passed into law – is a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve, or who have served, in the Armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly. The aim is to develop, share and drive the implementation of best practice that will improve armed forces veterans’ care, while at the same time raising standards for everyone across the NHS.
Speaking about the achievement, Professor Tim Briggs, CBE, said: “I am extremely proud to announce Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust has demonstrated continuous improvement in how it cares for Veterans, Reservists, and their families. It is only right that people who have given so much, receive the same treatment as everyone else. By recognising the unique situation and issues faced by the Armed Forces community, we can continue in the right direction to ensuring this group does not face unwarranted variation in the care they receive.”
Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust Chief Nurse, Liz Rix, added: “We are incredibly proud to have been re-accredited by the VCHA and this achievement reinforces our commitment to the veterans we have the privilege to care for here at Queen Alexandra.”
VCHA Regional Lead for the South East Anna-Marie Tipping said: “I would like to congratulate Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust on their re-accreditation as a Veteran Aware Trust. The Trust is the gold standard when it comes to care of patients, staff and the community in Portsmouth and the surrounding areas.
She continued: “The role of their veterans’ lead, Keith Malcom, and DMWS officer, Jan Hodgkinson, have been paramount to the care delivered to the Armed Forces community. Highlights include attending to each identified veteran at their bedside, hosting and attending employment events, and actively working in the community to raise healthcare standards for the Armed Forces community. I have deep links to Portsmouth as a Naval veteran. I was also born and raised in the city. I was treated at Queen Alexandra hospital during my medical discharge, so I give my personal thanks to their entire workforce.”
The Veteran Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA) is committed to improving Armed Forces and Veteran care whilst raising standards for all. 106 NHS providers in England are now Veteran Aware accredited, two are re-accredited, and the VCHA aims to have all Trusts in England accredited by March 2023 at the latest. Find out more about our work and about Rehabilitation by clicking here.
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