The Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance has today revealed it is three-quarters (75%) of the way through accrediting all NHS trusts in England as Veteran Aware on the same day as the NHS marks its 75th birthday. It is wishing the NHS a happy 75th birthday and thanking everyone in the NHS for the work it has done and continues to do for the Armed Forces Community.
It reached this figure having accredited five more trusts this month. The newly accredited trusts are:
- The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust – London Region.
- Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust – South East Region.
- St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – London Region.
- The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust – East of England Region.
- Solent NHS Trust – South East Region
The first trust to be accredited was North West Anglia Foundation Trust in June 2018. Since then it has increased accreditation numbers to a critical mass and seen improvements to care delivered to the armed forces community improve, despite pressures within the NHS.
The VCHA, which is an NHS national team, ensures that those who serve, or who have served, in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly. Accredited trusts meet the VCHA’s eight-point manifesto.
VCHA chairman Prof Tim Briggs CBE said: “Firstly, happy birthday to the NHS. The Veteran and Armed Forces communities thank you for being there for them. It’s credit to frontline NHS staff that we have reached this amazing figure of 75% of all trusts in England having been accredited.
“But I’d also like to thank my team and the trusts for their hard work and dedication in driving this progamme forward. Without this team and our trusts we wouldn’t be where we are today.
“We continue to build on these foundations, making sure this project provides a lasting legacy for our military community, who deserve our gratitude for what they do for our nation.”
