The UK government has launched a new £1.8 million NHS training programme designed to help healthcare staff across England provide more personalised care for the Armed Forces community. This initiative aims to ensure that veterans, serving personnel, reservists, and their families receive better healthcare in recognition of their service to the nation. The training will enable NHS workers to identify patients with an Armed Forces background and tailor support to their unique physical and mental health needs.
Under this new programme, GPs, nurses, doctors, therapists, and healthcare managers will be trained by regional experts to integrate Armed Forces-friendly practices into NHS services nationwide. Many veterans face challenges accessing appropriate healthcare, often due to difficulties navigating civilian systems or reluctance to self-identify as veterans. The initiative addresses these barriers and seeks to ensure that all who serve or have served can access the specialised care and support they deserve.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said the programme represents action to honour the Armed Forces community, especially as the nation marks Remembrance Sunday. Defence Secretary John Healey echoed this sentiment, highlighting the government’s commitment to serving veterans and their families with the same dedication they have shown the country.
The rollout coincides with a major milestone—every NHS trust in England is now accredited as “Veteran Aware.” This accreditation, led by the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA), ensures that trusts identify patients with military backgrounds, train staff to understand their needs, and embed inclusive healthcare practices. The programme supports the broader Armed Forces Covenant, which guarantees that no member of the Armed Forces community is disadvantaged due to their service.
Veterans such as Gregg Stevenson MBE, a former soldier and Paralympian now working as a VCHA regional trainer, have spoken about the life-changing impact of improved NHS understanding of military life. The initiative has also been widely welcomed by organisations including Help for Heroes, SSAFA, Cobseo, and Healthwatch England, who noted that training NHS staff will help ensure veterans receive the care they need for both visible and invisible injuries sustained during service.
NHS leaders, including Kate Davies CBE, Louise Ansari, and Daniel Elkeles, commended the move as a major step forward in delivering inclusive, compassionate healthcare. They emphasised that the training programme will help bridge the gap between civilian and military healthcare systems, ensure that veterans’ unique experiences are recognised, and strengthen the overall quality of care within the NHS.
Overall, the new NHS Armed Forces training programme marks a significant advancement in healthcare inclusion, ensuring that those who have served the country—and their families—receive the personalised support, dignity, and respect they deserve.
