Supporting the Armed Forces

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We are proud to support armed forces personnel.

Supporting the Armed Forces

We are proud to support armed forces personnel.

Supporting patients as a Veteran Aware trust

We are proud to have received accreditation as a Veteran Aware trust. This means that patients who have served in the UK Armed Forces will be cared for by frontline staff who have received training and education on their specific needs, such as around mental health, and can signpost them to local support services, some of which are listed below.

Local services providing help and support

  • The Veterans’ Gateway is a first point of contact for veterans and their families and can put them in touch with the organisations best placed to help with the information, advice and support they need. The Veterans’ Gateway can be contacted by phone (0808 802 1212), text (81212) or online at www.veteransgateway.org.uk by live chat or email.
  • NHS Transition, Intervention and Liaison Mental Health Service is for armed forces personnel approaching discharge and veterans. The service provides a range of treatment, from access to early support to therapeutic treatment for complex mental health difficulties and psychological trauma. It also provides help, where appropriate, with other problems, for example money, employment or housing. Please contact 0191 441 5974.
  • The Veterans and Families’ Directory of Services is an online and searchable map of services for the Armed Forces Community. All NHS staff can access the app at www.vfds.co.uk.

Other helpful services

  • Veterans’ Trauma Network provides specialist care to veterans with service-specific injuries. Veterans benefit from a personalised care plan implemented by top military and civilian trauma experts in health centres across England. Referrals can be made via your GP at england.veteranstraumanetwork@nhs.net. For more information, email Blesma at bsoprosthetics@blesma.org or call 0208 548 7080.
  • Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Services. If you have acquired hearing loss and/or tinnitus relating to your time in service, additional support can be funded through the Royal British Legion Veterans’ Hearing Fund. To access the service, ask your GP to refer you to your local NHS audiology department or download an application form via the Veterans’ Medical Funds webpage at www.rbl.org.uk/vmf.
  • Mobility Equipment Support. The Royal British Legion has a Veterans’ Mobility Fund, which provides specialist wheelchairs, orthotic equipment and other mobility-related items for veterans who have a service-related serious physical injury and whose needs cannot be met through statutory services. Eligibility for the fund requires the condition to be attributable to service and typically applicants will be in receipt of a War Pension or relevant award under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.To find out more, visit www.rbl.org.uk/vmf.

Supporting our staff 

We support both current employees who are part of the reservists, and potential employees who are currently serving or have just completed their service and are looking forward to their next career. 

In August 2020, we were awarded a Gold Award in the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme which shows our on-going commitment to our reservists and flexibility towards annual training commitments and mobilisation of reservist employees. 

Our Chief Executive recently re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant and pledged additional support, to armed forces personnel, by signing the Step into Health covenant. 

Developed in conjunction with The Royal Foundation and Walking with the Wounded, Step into Health provides a dedicated pathway for the Armed Forces community to access the numerous career opportunities available in the NHS as part of their transition into civilian life following military service.

Through the Armed Forces covenant the Trust has made pledges to all military personnel (including veterans) regarding access to its services and employment.

Our Trust also benefits from an Armed Forces Employee Network. This monthly network meeting provides a space for members of our workforce who are connected to the Armed Forces community to come together and share their experiences in support of one another, whilst offering a voice in shaping the employment experiences of our Armed Forces colleagues at work. It is open to veterans, serving members of the reservist forces, cadet instructors, and family members of those in the Armed Forces.