The Armed Forces Act which came into effect in June 2022 places additional requirements on integrated care systems to commit to the Armed Forces Covenant, making sure our armed forces community is not disadvantaged when accessing essential services like healthcare, education and housing.
NHS Kent and Medway supports our armed forces community in a number of ways, whether it is as an employer to reservists, veterans and/or partners or as the leader of NHS organisations across the county, ensuring our providers understand the needs of this community and prioritise care and treatment where an individual’s physical or mental health needs are a result of their service.
In July 2022, we were awarded gold in the Ministry of Defence's Employer Recognition Scheme. Since then, all of our main providers have been armed forces accredited, and so too have at least one GP practice in every one of the 42 Primary Care Networks across Kent and Medway.
We are a part of the Armed Forces Network for Sussex, Kent and Medway which offers training, support and guidance across sectors to individuals and professionals in meeting the needs of the armed forces community.
Mike Gilbert is the corporate director with responsibility for the Armed Forces Network in NHS Kent and Medway. As a veteran himself, he is committed to ensuring health and care services across the county fully play their part in meeting the health and well-being needs of the armed forces community:
“We owe so much to all members of our armed forces community, including families of serving members and veterans who stand by their sides and support them every day.
Many servicemen and women make significant sacrifices in serving our country and protecting our liberty. We owe it to them and their families to ensure they receive high quality care when they need it, especially if this is as a result of their service.
It’s easy to forget this under-represented group, many of whom are too proud to seek help. We need to ensure our health and care services fully understand their responsibilities as part of the armed forces Act, to proactively reach out and help those in need".
The covenant is a pledge from the nation to those who have served (and their immediate families) in the British Armed Forces making sure they do not suffer disadvantages as a result of their service.
The covenant was signed before the creation of NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (NHSKM), but continues to reflect our commitment to supporting those who have served in the British Armed Forces, and their families.
We have received the gold award from the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme and will continue to work with the Armed Forces Network to keep our work at this standard
From July 2015, the NHS Constitution was updated and one of the principles, the patient will be at the heart of everything the NHS does, now states:
As part of this, the NHS will ensure, in-line with the Armed Forces Covenant, those in the armed forces, reservists, their families and veterans are not disadvantaged in accessing health services in the area they reside.
NHS Kent and Medway Armed Forces Covenant pledge July 2021.
You can contact the Armed Forces Network through their website, by phone: 01273 403693 or by email afn.admin@nhs.net.
The Defence Relationship Management (DRM) which partners with organisations throughout the UK, helping them understand the value of signing the covenant and building mutually beneficial partnerships with Defence. The DRM also provides support on employing reservists, veterans, cadet force adult volunteers and military spouses and improving fairness for the armed forces community in the consumer market.
NHS Employers is taking action to make sure the NHS considers the armed forces community by bringing together employers from across London and the South NHS Employers Network.
Step into Health offers an access route into employment and other career development opportunities within the NHS to members of the armed forces community. NHS Employers supports organisations in adopting the programme, making sure Step into Health is embedded into recruitment strategies and workforce supply routes.
The programme recognises the transferable skills and cultural values that armed forces personnel have developed, and how these skills and values are compatible with working in the NHS.
Members of the armed forces community can get support from Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service. Op COURAGE is an NHS mental health specialist service designed to help serving personnel due to leave the military, reservists, armed forces veterans and their families.
Op RESTORE is a service providing specialist care and support to veterans who have physical health problems as a result of their time in the armed forces.
Op COMMUNITY is telephone support offered by the Armed Forces Network on 01273 403693 and via email at afn.admin@nhs.net.
There is also a range of additional support availble through the Armed Forces Network website.
