Nurses will be supported to better meet the healthcare needs of veterans, serving personnel and their families, under new government-funded training.
Marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day, ministers have unveiled a £1.8m training and education package to improve care given to those from the armed forces community.
“Too many veterans face a system that doesn’t fully understand their needs – that changes today”
Wes Streeting
The government-funded initiative will see nurses and other NHS staff across England receive training to identify and support patients with military backgrounds.
Staff will work with regional trainers to make sure they embed this support into their services.
It comes as veterans and serving personnel sometimes require specialised care for injuries sustained in combat, as well as mental health support for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Many also struggle to navigate the healthcare system and may not self-identify as veterans to NHS staff, meaning they can miss out on bespoke services available to them.
As of April 2025, every NHS trust in the country became ‘Veteran Aware’ under a programme led by the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance.
The Department of Health and Social Care said the new three-year training programme, being rolled out from October 2025, would build on this success.
It said the programme would support NHS bodies to show their commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, which ensures those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly and not disadvantaged because of their military service.
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.”
Specialist nurses working at the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health, Combat Stress, previously told Nursing Times about the need for all nurses to have a better understanding of the needs of servicemen and women.
Responding to the government announcement, Dr Naomi Wilson, clinical director at Combat Stress, said: “We are delighted that the government is continuing to recognise the need for improved healthcare for veterans, and that this must be tailored to the needs of those who have served in our military and their families.
“We look forward to continuing to provide veterans with PTSD with the high-quality treatment needed to enable them to recover and live the lives they deserve.”
Meanwhile, Kate Davies, national director for armed forces health at NHS England, said: “On the 80th anniversary of VE Day, we honour the extraordinary legacy of our armed forces – and reaffirm the NHS’ commitment to those who’ve served.
“As part of the Armed Forces Covenant, we’re launching our most comprehensive training programme yet to meet the unique healthcare needs of veterans.
“Developed with frontline experts in veterans’ health and those with lived experience, this national initiative ensures those who’ve served receive the high-quality, specialised care they deserve.”
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