Armed forces and Veteran Aware

Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is proud to be a Veteran Aware hospital.

Our accreditation, given to us in November 2023 from the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance acknowledges our commitment to several key pledges, including:

• Ensuring that the armed forces community is never disadvantaged compared to other patients, in line with the NHS’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.
• Training relevant staff on veteran specific culture or needs.
• Making veterans, reservists and service families aware of appropriate NHS services beneficial to them.
• Supporting the armed forces as an employer.

Armed Forces Covenant

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation that those who serve or have served in the UK armed forces, and their families, will be treated fairly. We signed the Armed Forces Covenant on 6 April 2023 to pledge our support as an employer and health organisation to the armed forces.

Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme

Veteran Aware hospitals support the employment of veterans and reservists in the NHS workforce. We were proud to be awarded the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze award in 2023. This recognises that we pledge, demonstrate and advocate for the defence and armed forces community.

Step Into Health

We are also involved with the Step Into Health scheme.

The scheme helps connect members of the Armed Forces community to NHS organisations to receive application support and set up training opportunities, insight days and work placements.

Your care

If you, your spouse or partner have ever served in the UK armed forces, let us know.

Being identified as a veteran in your NHS medical notes will ensure you are able to access specific veterans’ health services, such as those for mental health, hearing loss, limb amputation and wheelchairs.

All veterans are entitled to priority access to NHS care for service-related conditions. However, this is always subject to clinical need and does not mean that you will automatically be treated ahead of others who have a more urgent clinical need.

Veteran’s Gateway

If you are in need of help or support, the Veterans’ Gateway is recommended as the first point of contact for veterans and their families. They are made up of a number of organisations and charities, and will be able to connect you with the right support as soon as possible. You can also call them on 0808 802 1212.

You can also download a poster of links to other organisations providing help for veterans (opens PDF).

Page last updated 23 November 2023.