Armed Forces Support

The Armed Forces Covenant and Defence Employer Recognition Scheme both reflect our commitment to the wider armed forces agenda and indicate our pledge that those who serve, have served and their families, are treated fairly.

We are currently looking at ways in which we can encourage staff to become reservists and cadet leaders and how we can better support those who are currently reservists, cadet leaders, service leaders/veterans and families whilst working with us. 

 

 

 

NUH is grateful for your service, and wants to make it as easy as possible for you to work here even as you continue to serve in the armed forces. We have a long history, and proud to support our staff who volunteer their spare time and join or wish to join the Armed Forces as a Reservist or as a Cadet Forces Adult Volunteer.

Reserves play an essential role in our Armed Forces. Through their dedication and professionalism, they make a vital contribution to protecting the nation’s security at home and overseas. Cadet Leaders do an incredible amount of work with the young people in our communities to develop life and leadership skills. Reservists and Cadet Leaders give up their spare time to the Forces whilst balancing their personal and professional lives.

We have a dedicated Reserve Forces Training and Mobilisation policy which ensures that staff members who are current members or wish to join the Reserve Forces of Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers are not disadvantaged whilst at work. We have committed to granting additional paid leave of up to10 days to Reservists and Cadet Leaders to enable them to attend their training (usually used for annual camps). We are the first NHS Trust in Nottinghamshire to extend this paid leave provision to Cadet Leaders in recognition of their work as part of the Reserve Forces and Cadet Association. We also encourage all line managers to be supportive of their team members with regard to leave and shift management wherever practical. This policy also includes information for Reservists and their managers about mobilisation, support, and includes template documents should a Reservist be mobilised.

As part of our commitment, to the Armed Forces, it is important for us to continue to develop our database of NUH staff who are part of the Armed Forces Family, in particular those who are Reservists or Cadet Leaders. Please inform the HR Armed Forces Champion if you are a member of the forces family.

Further information about becoming a Reservist online.

Here at NUH we are currently developing our offer to serving members of the Armed Forces, service leavers and veterans and families who for whatever reason become a patient within our hospitals. Please make sure you let us know if you are serving or have ever served in the armed forces. We will put you in touch with the organisations best placed to help with information, advice and support.

Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance

NHS Veteran Aware is an accreditation programme designed to support healthcare providers understand and meet the needs of the Armed Forces community. NUH became the first NHS Trust in Nottinghamshire to become VCHA accredited. NUH are committed to develop, share and drive the implementation of best practice that will improve armed forces veterans’ healthcare, in line with the commitments set out in the Armed Forces Covenant.

Veterans are a key component of the wider armed forces community and include anyone who has served at least one day in the UK Armed Forces either as a regular or reserve and includes those who served with National Service. Many veterans do not recognise their veteran status may be relevant to their health and specific needs may be overlooked. The veterans’ community covers a very wide age range and health care needs may therefore differ widely.

NUH has a team of armed forces champions which include Andrew Hall - Executive sponsor of the NUH Armed forces staff network, Laura Tunstall -Chair of the NUH armed forces staff network, Tracey Keane - Senior management champion, Amanda Morledge- Clinical champion, Nicole Dixon-HR Champion, Lucy Panesar- Forces family champion and Mike Soroka - veterans community champion. This team help lead and support the delivery of the highest quality of care to our veterans and their families.

Here at NUH we are currently developing our offer to serving members of the Armed Forces, service leavers and veterans and families who for whatever reason become a patient within our hospitals. Please make sure you let us know if you are serving or have ever served in the armed forces. We will put you in touch with the organisations best placed to help with information, advice and support.

Defence Medical Welfare Service

We encourage staff to refer members of the armed forces community who have support needs to the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS). DMWS are a charitable organisation that specialise in comprehensive and confidential emotional and practical support to The Armed Forces, Veterans, NHS Staff, Emergency Services, The Merchant Navy & their immediate family when they are receiving medical treatment in hospital. They work with patients when their medical needs are being met but when other issues, problems or social influences may be distracting them from their recovery. Their support is person centred, tailored to the individual and they will arrange to speak to the patient and support NUH clinical staff to help identify services and support, and enable referrals to a range of military and non-military organisations. DMWS can be contacted by telephone on: 0800 999 3697.

Veterans Gateway

In addition to DMWS, the Veterans Gateway is also available to provide information, advice and support for veterans and their families. They are a point of contact for veterans seeking support. They put veterans and their families in touch with the organisations best placed to help with the information, advice and support they need – from healthcare and housing to employability, finances, personal relationships and more.

                                  

In supporting the Armed Forces agenda, we do not work alone. We are proud of the relationships with have built with the East Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadet Association, Nottinghamshire Healthcare, NHS Employers and The Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre.  In addition, we advocate support to defence people issues to partner organisations regionally and nationally.

 

What can you do to learn more about Veterans and Reservists?

A new NHS Armed Forces national training and education programme is launched in November 2025. The national training and education programme will be rolled out across all NHS Trusts to ensure NHS Staff are aware of the unique needs of the armed forces community and how to offer appropriate support.