UHNM becomes a Veteran Aware hospital
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is pleased to announce that it has been named as a Veteran Aware Trust in recognition of its commitment to improving NHS care for veterans, reservists, members of the armed forces and their families.
UHNM Is now one of 64 providers that have been accredited as exemplars of the best care for veterans and leading the way in improving veterans’ care within the NHS.
The accreditation, from the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA), acknowledges the trust’s commitment to a number of 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 charities or NHS services beneficial to them, such as mental health services or support with financial and/or benefit claims;
- Supporting the armed forces as an employer
John Oxtoby, Medical Director at the Trust said: “UHNM has a rich history of armed forces personal, dating back to World War Two and even today we have a large number of staff that are veterans or currently serve in the Reserves.
Our Armed Forces community gives us a real insight into how we can support veterans, those currently serving and their families and we actively encourage all patients and staff to let us know if they currently serve or have ever served in the UK armed forces so that we can best support their needs.
We are extremely proud to support our veterans and to be acknowledged as a Veteran Aware Trust.”
Trusts recognised 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.
The veteran aware accreditation is in addition to the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) which the Trust earned the gold award for in 2019, the scheme encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same.
To help achieve this UHNM signed The Armed Forces Covenant, which is aimed at promoting fair treatment for the Armed Forces community, removing disadvantage and ensuring that they get the same access to services as the civilian community.