Government rolls out new training programme to help NHS staff across England give the armed forces community the personalised care they deserve.
- Thousands of veterans, serving personnel, reservists and their families to receive better healthcare in recognition of their service
- Major new NHS programme, backed by £1.8 million, will see NHS staff receive training to identify patients with armed forces backgrounds and provide more targeted, personalised care
- Every NHS trust in England now armed forces friendly as part of drive to become ‘Veteran Aware’
The nation’s armed forces community are set to receive better and more personalised healthcare support in recognition of their service to this country, thanks to a major new training programme for NHS staff.
NHS workers will receive dedicated training to help them identify patients with an armed forces background and provide the right support. GPs, doctors, nurses, therapists and managers will work with regional trainers to embed this support across the NHS.
Armed forces personnel, including veterans, serving personnel, reservists and their families, can require specialised care for physical injuries sustained in service, as well as mental health support for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.
Many veterans and their families also struggle to navigate civilian healthcare systems and may not self-identify as veterans to NHS staff, putting them at risk of missing out on the bespoke services that are already available.
In April 2025, Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire (HWCB) launched an engagement initiative to better understand the healthcare experiences of local veterans.
HWCB sought to capture first-hand accounts to identify barriers, highlight good practice, and recommend improvements.
Read our report: ‘Serving Those Who Served’ – Improving Healthcare for Veterans in Central Bedfordshire
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