Media Release
Date: 6 November 2020
RUH 'Veteran Aware' this Remembrance
As the nation marks this Remembrance week, staff at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust are working towards achieving full Veteran Aware accreditation, committing to further improving NHS care and support for members of the armed forces community.
Veteran Aware status is granted by the Veterans Covenant Hospital Alliance (VCHA). To achieve it, 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.
Trust Chair Alison Ryan said: "We're really proud to be making this statement of intent to become a hospital that leads the way in improving NHS care for veterans and members of the armed forces 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. It's really important that we continue to support veterans and reservists, and achieving Veteran Aware status will be a great honour for us."
Hospital Trusts that are accredited as Veteran Aware will display posters in their clinics and public waiting areas, highlighting their status and encouraging members of the armed forces to identify themselves to staff.
The RUH has appointed clinical and management Veterans' champions who are working with Medicine, Surgery and Women's and Children's Divisions, and plans to achieve full Veteran Aware status by 31 March 2021.