Armed Forces Day 2025

On Armed Forces Day, we say to thank you to everyone in the Armed Forces community. Whether you have ever served or are a family member, offering crucial support – thank you!

We are pleased to announce that thanks to the efforts of our Armed Forces Clinical Champions, Robert Instrell and Dr Jason Cupitt and Tina Daniels, our Armed Forces Management Champion Blackpool Teaching Hospitals Veteran Aware accreditation has been renewed.

NHS Veteran Aware is an accreditation programme designed to support healthcare providers understand and meet the needs of the Armed Forces (AF) community. This involves identifying veterans to ensure they receive appropriate care and that training is in place to support their needs.

Reaccreditation assists further development of best practice, driving improvements across the NHS and standard of care for the Armed Forces community. The Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance is funded by the NHS England Armed Forces healthcare team to deliver Veteran Aware status for all NHS trust providers in England.

Tina said “We signed the Armed Forces Military Covenant in 2018 and since then achieved the NHS and MoD Employers Recognition schemes for Bronze 2019, Silver 2020 and Gold 2021. We were one of the first NHS Trusts in the North West to be accredited as a Veteran Aware Trust. We have policies covering colleagues who are Reserves to allow them time off for training and when mobilised on manoeuvres, and also for patients who are veterans or currently serving."

The accreditation is valid for three years before a full review is carried out.