29 July 2024

We’re pleased to announce the Trust has received Veteran Aware accreditation, recognising our commitment to the armed forces community.

Accreditation is carried out by the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA), a national NHS team aiming to provide the best standards of care for the armed forces community based on the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant.

CNWL signed the covenant in 2023 with a number of pledges, including our commitment as an employer and healthcare provider in making sure armed forces personnel – and their families or loved ones – are supported by our services.

Since then we have undertaken a number of measures to achieve the Veteran Aware status.

We have a dedicated group, which has put together a plan of improvements to help support those in the armed forces community, including Champions within the organisation and a webpage that signposts to upcoming events and a range of support services.

We’ve developed links with nearby veteran services including OpCOURAGE for mental health and wellbeing, as well as Step Into Health to support prospective employees, and we’ve started delivering training packages to help educate staff about some of the experiences and issues veterans may face.

The Trust also has plans in place to establish an Armed Forces group, to enable staff members with a connection to meet and support one another and provide feedback to us as an organisation.

In England, it is estimated that almost 1 in 25 people are a veteran of the UK armed forces. Our services see hundreds of patients who are veterans, including Talking Therapies, rough sleepers, Addictions and Health and Justice. We also see family members and dependents, including our school nursing services.

Chief Executive, Claire Murdoch, said:

“I’m immensely proud that CNWL has been accredited as Veteran Aware. This recognition is not just a badge; it is a heartfelt commitment. For both our patients and staff, it means that we are not only aware of their unique needs but are dedicated to providing them with the compassionate, specialised support they deserve.”

The Veteran Aware plaque will soon be displayed at CNWL sites.

To find out more about the work CNWL is doing, visit this page.