A new £1.8 million NHS training initiative will see thousands of doctors, nurses, therapists and managers across England trained to better understand and support the health needs of the Armed Forces community.
The national programme, launched ahead of Remembrance Sunday, aims to ensure that veterans, serving personnel, reservists and their families receive more personalised, informed care in recognition of their service. It comes as all NHS trusts in England have now achieved ‘Veteran Aware’ accreditation, marking a milestone in the health service’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.
Training to deliver more targeted and compassionate care
The training, developed by NHS England in partnership with the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA), will equip NHS staff to identify patients with an Armed Forces background and signpost them to appropriate support. Many veterans are known to struggle with navigating civilian healthcare systems or do not disclose their military history to clinicians, meaning their unique physical and mental health needs may go unrecognised.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said the programme would help address that gap, ensuring that “those who have delivered for our nation” receive the right care and understanding from NHS staff.
Addressing the challenges veterans face
Veterans and their families often require specialised support for issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, or injuries sustained in service. For some, the transition to civilian healthcare can be complex and isolating.
Former soldier and Paralympian Gregg Stevenson MBE, who works with the VCHA as a regional trainer, said improved education among NHS staff had already made a visible difference: “After being injured in Afghanistan, I never imagined I’d one day be helping to train NHS teams. This new programme is vital to make sure no member of the Armed Forces community is left behind.”
Nationwide recognition and future commitment
Defence Secretary John Healey MP said the initiative demonstrated the government’s commitment to ensuring veterans and their families can access the “bespoke support and care they need and deserve”.
The VCHA’s work has led to all NHS trusts in England being formally recognised as ‘Veteran Aware’, meaning they have embedded Armed Forces-friendly policies, staff training, and clear signposting for patients with service backgrounds.
According to NHS England, the rollout will reduce inequalities in healthcare for veterans and help ensure that those who serve, or have served, are treated fairly and without disadvantage due to their military experience.
The training forms part of a wider Plan for Change within the NHS, which aims to make services more inclusive and responsive to the needs of all communities, including those who have served in the Armed Forces.
