Veteran aware information leaflet
Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust (BHT) is proud to be a Veteran Aware healthcare provider.
Please let a member of staff know if you, or your spouse/partner, currently serve or have ever served in the UK armed forces so that we can best support your care needs.
Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust is a member of the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance, sharing and driving best practice in NHS care for the Armed Forces Community.
The Armed Forces Covenant states that serving personnel, reservists, spouses, and dependents should not face disadvantage compared to other citizens when accessing health services.
You and your family should not be at a disadvantage in accessing appropriate health services; for example, members of the Armed Forces Community in England and Wales who are patients on NHS waiting lists have the time already accrued considered when posted to a different location.
Veterans (anyone who has Served in HM Forces for 1 day or more, including National Service) may also be entitled to priority access to NHS care for health conditions associated with their time in service, subject to clinical need.
What you can expect from us:
- We are committed to ensuring no disadvantage and to giving special consideration where appropriate.
- We have educated and trained all relevant staff to identify and respond to the specific needs of the Armed Forces Community.
- We support the UK Armed Forces Community as an employer.
Defence Medical Welfare Services
We work collaboratively with Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) Welfare Officer (WO) who will put you in touch, or refer you, to organisations and services best placed to help with information, advice and support.
DMWS WOs take a holistic non-clinical approach to healthcare and with early intervention and assessment.
of patient needs, outside of the clinical pathway can help to provide a positive patient experience.
DMWS WOs can enable appropriate referrals to localised services including 3rd sector and families’ specific resources in the wider community.
Veterans’ Gateway
First point of contact for veterans and their families providing information, advice and support.
0808 802 1212 or text 81212 or visit www.veteransgateway.org.uk
SSAFA
Welfare, health, and support services, for the UK military’s serving personnel, veterans, and their families. 020 4566 9126 or visit ssafa.org.uk/buckinghamshire
Royal British Legion
Welfare, health and support services, for the UK military’s serving personnel, veterans, and their families. 0808 802 8080 or visit www.britishlegion.org.uk
Op RESTORE
Provides specialist care to veterans with physical injuries related to their time in service. Healthcare for the Armed Forces Community mobilised-reservists
Health and Wellbeing Service
OP Courage is for serving personnel approaching discharge, and for veterans. The service provides a range of treatment, from access to early support, to therapeutic treatment for complex mental health difficulties, and psychological trauma.
For services in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, or Buckinghamshire, call 0300 365 2000 or email gateway@berkshire.nhs.uk
Additional Information:
Royal Navy – Royal Marine Benevolent Fund – www.rnbt.org.uk
British Army – Benevolent Fund – www.soldierscharity.org
Royal Air Force – Benevolent Fund – www.rafbf.org
Royal Air Force Association – www.rafa.org.uk
Working for the NHS
The NHS benefits significantly from the skills and experience of the Armed Forces Community, and Veteran Aware organisations support the employment of this community in the NHS.
Find out more about careers at BHT – Welcome to Buckinghamshire Healthcare Vacancies
or in the wider NHS at www.militarystepintohealth.nhs.uk
If you are already working in the NHS, BHT has the following available:
- Armed forces staff network
- Website – buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/our-organisation/armed-forces-covenant/
- Armed Forces Covenant Lead – armedforces@nhs.net Tel: 07824 416839
Community support
Armed Forces Community Drop In
To support our Armed Forces Community accessing support and advice when needed, we are working with SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity, and Op COURAGE, the Veterans Mental Health & Wellbeing Service, by hosting Drop-In sessions across our community sites.
Thame Community Hospital
10am -12pm on 1st Wednesday of each month
Buckingham Community Hospital
10am – 12pm on the 1st Thursday of each month
Aylesbury, Unit 33 Friars Square
10am – 1pm on 2nd Thursday of each month
Chalfonts & Gerrards Cross Hospital
10am – 12pm on 3rd Thursday of each month
Marlow Fire Station
10am – 12pm on the last Thursday of each month
The Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast club
Facilitates serving Armed forces personnel and Veterans to meet face to face in a relaxed, safe, social environment where they can enjoy breakfast and banter, combat loneliness and allow veterans to ‘return to the tribe’.
Locations in Buckinghamshire:
Stoke Mandeville, Hospital
First Sunday of each month from 10am
Wing, Cock Inn
Second Saturday of each month from 10am
Hazelmere, The Crown
First Sunday of each month from 11am
Loudwater, Brewers Fayre
Every Saturday from 9.30am
Aylesbury, White Hart
Every Saturday from 8am
Aylesbury, Horse & Jockey
Last Saturday of each month from 10am
We are committed to continually learning from our patients and their families to improve care for all. If you have feedback or suggestions, please contact the
Armed Forces Covenant Lead: Pam Daley 07824 416839
DMWS Welfare Officer: Helen Stewart 07302 002888 bht.armedforces@nhs.net