The Isle of Wight NHS Trust is celebrating being awarded Veteran Aware accreditation.
The Trust has joined others across the country in being accredited by the Veterans Covenant Hospital Alliance (VCHA) to lead the way in improving NHS care for veterans and members of the armed forces community.
The Trust will signpost staff for training so they will be aware of veterans’ specific needs, making past and present servicemen and women aware of appropriate charities or NHS services beneficial to them, such as mental health services or support with financial and/or benefit claims.
It will also ensure that the armed forces community is never disadvantaged compared to other patients, which is in line with the NHS’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.
Medical Director, Steve Parker, said:
“The Veteran Aware scheme is a fantastic initiative that will ensure the particular needs of the Armed Forces community are at the heart of their care. We are very excited and proud to have received Veteran Aware accreditation at Isle of Wight NHS Trust, it’s really good news for us and for the 14,000 veterans across our Island community.
“As an ex-serviceman I’m well aware of the importance of supporting veterans and reservists and our aim is to make our Trust a centre of excellence in their care and support. People who have served in the armed forces can often have specific and varied needs and we must do everything we can to ensure the NHS continues to support them.”
To achieve the accreditation the Trust had to demonstrate and meet a number of criteria, including; train and educate staff in veterans’ needs, establish links to appropriate nearby veteran services, identify veterans to ensure they receive appropriate care and raise awareness of veterans.
Following on from the accreditation, the Trust will continue to work in partnership with other services in the area that patients can be referred to for further support.
Hospital trusts, which are accredited as Veteran Aware, will display posters in their clinics and public waiting areas urging anyone who has served in the armed forces to make themselves known to staff.
Island Roads Gives Thanks To Local Community As Road Improvement Programme Completed
Bids Invited From Local Organisations For Adult Community Learning Grants
Waste And Recycling Collection Information For Spring Bank Holiday
Karl Love "Delighted And Humbled" To Be Elected Isle of Wight Council Chairman
Newport Telegraph Pole Crash Update After Emergency Services Called Out
Rishi Sunak To Call General Election For July 4, Sky News Understands
Appeal For Islanders To Get Involved In Combatting Local Crime
Isle Of Wight Chief Constable Reacts As Police Document Reveals 'Fewer Arrests' Proposal
'Alien' Threat To Isle Of Wight Highlighted For Invasive Species Week
Green Light For Royal Navy Parachute Display Team To Join Isle Of Wight Armed Forces Day
More Than 99% Of Island Voters Had Valid Photo-ID At Polling Stations
Cowes Charities Join Forces To Save Lives At Sea
Isle Of Wight Residents Offered Funded Support To Tackle Climate Change
Hovertravel Offering Half Price Travel For D-Day 80
Totland To Colwell Seawall Footpath Partially Reopened
New Island Line Timetable From This Weekend
Young Enterprise Glory For Carisbrooke And Medina College Team
Pharmacy Opening Times For The Late May Bank Holiday Weekend
Time Running Out To Share Your Views On Future Transport Needs For Isle Of Wight
Wightlink Wizards Star Morgan Williams To Become First Island Born Wightlink Warriors Rider
