South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been formally reaccredited as a Veteran Aware organisation by the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA).
The trust, which runs The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, Friarage Hospital in Northallerton and a range of community services across Middlesbrough, Hambleton, Richmondshire, Redcar and Cleveland, has also achieved a Silver Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
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.
South Tees is one of around 40 trusts across the North of England that have gained Veteran Aware accreditation.
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.
Sue Page, the trust’s Chief Executive said: “We are very proud to be reaccredited as Veteran Aware and to achieve a Silver Award.
“These accolades recognise our work in identifying and sharing the best standards of care for our armed forces community and the support we provide to our employees, and their families, who may also be military reservists, adult volunteers within the cadet forces or veterans.”
VCHA regional lead Lynsey Nicholson said: “I’d like to thank the team for their hard work and dedication to providing the best possible experience of care to members of the armed forces community.”
The VCHA’s ambition is to accredit all NHS providers in England by March 2023. Find out more at veteranaware.nhs.uk/veterans-rehabilitation-project