NHS staff will undergo training to enhance their ability to identify and assist patients with military backgrounds.
The UK Government has announced a training programme to increase the National Health Service’s (NHS) capacity to address the health needs of military veterans, serving personnel and their families.
From October 2025, NHS staff across England will undergo specialised training to enhance their ability to identify and assist patients with military backgrounds.
Education leads will provide standardised armed forces awareness training to NHS personnel at various levels and guide NHS commissioning bodies in creating health needs assessments for the armed forces community.
They will also support integrated care boards in helping armed forces families access health services.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “As we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, we’re honouring our armed forces not just with words, but with action.
“Too many veterans face a system that doesn’t fully understand their needs – that changes today.
“This new training programme will help NHS staff across England give our veterans the personalised care they deserve.”
The nationwide training and education plan will aim to ensure adherence to the Armed Forces Covenant, which promotes fair treatment for those who serve or have served in the military, as well as their families. It is due to run until 2028 and has received £1.8m ($2.39m) in state funding.
The announcement follows a significant £50m investment in VALOUR, a new UK-wide veteran support system that aims to simplify access to critical care and support for veterans.
The VALOUR programme’s goals include reducing health disparities within the armed forces community, raising awareness of their unique needs, and helping NHS systems fulfil their duties under the Armed Forces Covenant.
Last month, the UK Government announced that an additional 1,503 general practitioners (GPs) had been hired since 1 October 2024, to relieve the strain on GPs and reduce patient wait times.