A HOSPITAL in Worcester has been recognised for providing the best care to veterans.
The trust, which runs Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester, has been formally recognised as ‘Veteran Aware’.
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Recognition of the status comes from the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA) as the country marks the start of Armed Forces Awareness Week this week.
The trust celebrated the achievement and marked the start of Armed Forces Awareness Week with a flag-raising ceremony and minute’s silence at Worcestershire Royal Hospital today (Monday), accompanied by a Salvation Army bugler.
The VCHA is a group of NHS healthcare providers in England committed to providing the best standards of care for the Armed Forces community, based on the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant.
The Armed Forces Covenant - which recently passed into law - is a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve, or who have served, in the Armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly.
The aim is to develop, share and drive the implementation of best practice that will improve armed forces veterans' care, while at the same time raising standards for everyone across the NHS.
Dr Christine Blanshard, chief medical officer at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and chair of the trust’s Armed Forces Strategy Group, said: "We are delighted to have been awarded Veteran Aware status which recognises our commitment to improving the care for our armed forces veterans and their families.
The trust is also part of the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme, and last year received the Bronze Award, reflecting our support for those who serve. We are currently working towards our Silver Award.
"Our staff include many reservists, armed forces leavers and military families, and we are grateful for the skills that these experiences bring to the trust, helping us to deliver our purpose to put patients first.”
The trust also signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2020 setting out its commitment and support to members of the Armed Forces Community who work in the organisation or access services.
VCHA Regional Lead David Wood said: "Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, have demonstrated clearly their achievement of each of the eight manifesto standards and that has been recognised and approved by the National Steering Group and they now join 118 other trusts in the region and nationally already accredited as Veteran Aware.”
Just over 40 per cent of veterans report at least one long-term health condition, with the most prevalent of which are musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory and mental health conditions.
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