Published on:
Monday 25th January 2021
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has been named a Veteran Aware Trust in recognition of its commitment to improving NHS care for veterans, reservists, members of the armed forces and their families.
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
“Accreditation as a Veteran Aware Trust emphasises our commitment to service men and women”, said Dr Justin Wilson, Chief Medical Officer at Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
“In addition, we are developing an enhanced service to support veterans across Surrey Heartlands, who have complex emotional and social needs. The service will focus on providing therapeutic interventions for veterans and supporting local health and care services with training and advice in relation to veteran care.”