As announced on Remembrance Sunday, through a press release from the Department of Health and Social Care, the national Armed Forces healthcare training and education programme has been formally launched to equip NHS staff in England to deliver compassionate, personalised care for the Armed Forces community. This includes serving personnel, reservists, veterans, and their families, recognising their unique experiences and evolving healthcare needs. 

NHS England is committed to supporting the delivery of the principles and reality of the Armed Forces Covenant across the complexities of its system, and to being as ‘Armed Forces health aware’ as possible. A key part of this delivery are the people who work in the NHS – not just clinicians and health professionals, but those in leadership and supporting roles too. 

In May 2025, the government announced the creation of the programme, designed to deliver learning and awareness at all levels of the NHS in England. Developed over three years in collaboration with key stakeholders, the programme is started with all hospital care trusts on 10 November Remembrance Week 2025. From 2026, primary, community, and Integrated Care Board teams will be included, with further sector partners joining from 2027. Online support materials and resources will also be available from mid-2026. 

The programme is being delivered by a small, regionally focused team in partnership with the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA) leadership. Sessions can be delivered face-to-face or via webinars, with acute and secondary care organisations already being booked. 

Prof Tim Briggs CBE, Chair and National Lead of the VCHA, said: 

“The Armed Forces healthcare training and education programme represents a vital step in ensuring that everyone in the NHS, from clinicians to leaders and support staff, understands the unique challenges faced by the Armed Forces community. We at the VCHA, with our regional trainers from across England, are proud to support the delivery of the programme, helping staff provide compassionate, personalised care and uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant.” 

A powerful introduction video, delivered by one of the VCHA trainers, Gregg Stevenson MBE, a veteran himself, who has experienced the NHS as both a patient and staff member, is available to illustrate the importance of this training. The video shares real experiences and demonstrates why the programme is critical to supporting ‘due regard’ for the Armed Forces community. 

For more information about Armed Forces healthcare training and education programme, visit the dedicated website or email the team at rnoh.vcha.ntep@nhs.net