Trust maintains Veterans Aware status

Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust is proud to announce that it has successfully passed the one-year review of its prestigious Veterans Aware status, reaccredited in April 2023.

The Veterans Aware accreditation, awarded by the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA), ensures that patients from the Armed Forces community, including families and dependants, receive the respect and consideration they deserve. This aligns with the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, ensuring they are not disadvantaged in healthcare access and outcomes due to their military service and are supported as employees.

Since first receiving the Veterans Aware accreditation in 2019, Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust has demonstrated unwavering dedication to veteran-friendly practices. This places them among 145 NHS providers across England that are Veteran Aware accredited.

The review highlights the trust’s ongoing commitment to providing exceptional support and consistent efforts to uphold the highest standards in veteran care and advocacy. This includes offering support programmes, facilitating access to vital resources, training and education, and fostering a supportive community for veterans.

Ellie Valentine, Associate Director of Workforce and Organisational Development and Armed Forces employment lead at the Trust, said:

We are really proud to maintain our accreditation as a Veterans Aware organisation. As an employer, we are committed to recruiting individuals currently serving in our reserve forces as well as those transitioning to civilian careers after serving in the Armed Forces. We offer a wide range of career opportunities and support to members of our workforce who are part of the Armed Forces community because we recognise that our patients significantly benefit from the unique skills, experience, and values that our Armed Forces colleagues bring to their roles.

Building on the support offered, the trust plans to continue to strengthen partnerships with local reservist units and armed forces charities, as it works towards its reaccreditation in March 2026.

To find out more about our support for veterans, visit: www.midyorks.nhs.uk/supporting-the-armed-forces

3 staff pictured smiling celebrating the one year review

Pictured in the photo are the Trust’s Armed Forces Champions, left to right: Marc Smith, Deputy Director of Operations, Ellie Valentine, Associate Director of Workforce and OD, Jason Eyre, Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon