East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust highlights work on Armed Forces community care
- Mar 6
- 1 min read
East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust has outlined how it is working with the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA) to improve awareness and support for members of the Armed Forces community accessing NHS services.
The Trust is one of many NHS organisations participating in the Veteran Aware accreditation programme, an initiative designed to help NHS providers better understand the healthcare needs of serving personnel, veterans, and their families.
According to the Trust, the programme focuses on improving staff awareness of Armed Forces culture, ensuring that veterans are recognised within healthcare settings, and supporting the delivery of appropriate referral pathways where specialist services are required.
The Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance works with NHS providers across England to support the implementation of the Armed Forces Covenant within healthcare services. Trusts participating in the programme are encouraged to appoint Armed Forces champions, provide staff training, and strengthen links with regional veteran support services.
The NHS has stated that all NHS trusts in England are now recognised as Veteran Aware organisations, reflecting participation in the VCHA programme and a commitment to improving understanding of the Armed Forces community within healthcare settings.
Alongside awareness initiatives, the NHS has also developed specialist services for veterans experiencing service-related health conditions, including mental health support through Op Courage and physical rehabilitation through Op Restore.
The Veteran Aware programme forms part of broader efforts across the NHS to ensure that the Armed Forces Covenant is reflected in healthcare delivery. The initiative aims to help veterans feel more confident identifying their service background during medical consultations so that clinicians can take this into account when considering treatment or referral options.