The Royal United Hospital in Bath is celebrating becoming one of 75 trusts across the UK to be awarded Veteran Aware accreditation.
The recognition follows commitments by the RUH to leading the way in improving NHS care for veterans and members of the armed forces community.
Veteran Aware status is granted by the Veterans Covenant Hospital Alliance (VCHA).
To achieve it, hospital trusts make a series of pledges such as training staff in veteran-specific needs, supporting the armed forces as an employer and ensuring that members of the armed forces are never disadvantaged when receiving care.
The VCHA accreditation certificate was presented to RUH Chief Executive Cara Charles- Barks by the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Annie Maw, at a signing ceremony attended by a number of RUH armed forces staff members.
Cara wore uniform in her role as Honorary Colonel for 243 (Wessex) Field Hospital, part of the Army Reserve Medical Services.
Cara said: “We are really proud to have received this honour that recognises how importantly we take our responsibility towards the armed forces personnel and community.
“The RUH has always had strong links with our armed forces across the South West and has a long track record in the care and employment opportunities we can provide members of the services.
“This covenant is our pledge to further improve the support from all our staff that we can offer them.”
The VCHA is working with NHS trusts across the country to improve standards of care for the armed forces community.
In time, the alliance hopes to see every NHS provider meeting the Veteran Aware standards.
