CUH has successfully achieved veteran aware accreditation which was awarded by the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA). CUH is committed to providing the best standards of care for the armed forces community by abiding by the armed forces covenant which has now been written into law.
The alliance aims to drive improvements in NHS care for people who serve or have served in the UK armed forces and their families, in line with the Armed Forces Covenant.
The Veterans Covenant Hospital Alliance (VCHA) has been formed to reduce disadvantages to members of the armed forces past and present, by giving appropriate priority for any service related condition. This access is subject to clinical need and veterans are not given priority of referral or treatment ahead of individuals who are in greater clinical need.
To be accredited as a 'veteran aware hospital', NHS hospitals complete a short annual report, demonstrating their commitment to the armed forces covenant and showcasing examples of good practice in care for veterans.
Veteran aware hospitals will:
- Provide information to veterans and their families explaining what to expect
- Train staff to be aware of veterans' needs and the commitments of the NHS under the Armed Forces Covenant
- Inform staff if a veteran or their GP has told the hospital they have served in the armed forces
- Ensure that the armed forces community do not face disadvantage compared to other citizens when accessing NHS services
- Signpost to extra services that might be provided to the armed forces community by a charity or service organisation in the hospital
- Look into what services are available in their locality, which patients would benefit from being referred to after a hospital stay.
CUH continues to work to raise awareness of veteran care through an ongoing programme of training and service provision.