NHS launches new support programme for serving personnel and veterans
- Nov 10, 2025
- 2 min read
A new NHS programme designed to strengthen healthcare support for members of the Armed Forces community has been launched as part of wider government efforts to improve coordination between military and civilian services.
The initiative forms part of ongoing work to support both serving personnel and veterans who access NHS care following military service. Programmes across the NHS aim to improve awareness of the Armed Forces community within healthcare settings and ensure appropriate referral pathways are available when specialist services are required.
Alongside these developments, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed continued investment in specialist services for veterans and serving personnel experiencing physical or mental health conditions related to military service. Government figures suggest that more than £25 million per year is allocated to support a range of healthcare services for the Armed Forces community.
This funding supports programmes focused on both physical rehabilitation and mental health care, including services delivered through the NHS such as Op Courage, which provides specialist mental health support for veterans in England.
The announcement also referenced the government’s £50 million “Valour” programme, which aims to improve coordination between services supporting veterans and reduce fragmentation in the support system.
Improving access to healthcare for veterans has been an ongoing focus across government and NHS organisations in recent years. Initiatives such as the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance and the development of veteran-specific NHS services have aimed to ensure clinicians better understand the health needs of people who have served in the Armed Forces.
The latest programme forms part of these wider efforts to strengthen healthcare pathways and improve collaboration between defence, health, and support organisations working with the Armed Forces community.
Further details about how the new programme will be implemented across NHS services are expected as the initiative develops.