ELFT Recognised Again for Supporting Veterans

ELFT first achieved accreditation status in 2021. The Trust's successful application to retain its accreditation was approved in mid-February by the Veterans’ Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA) Steering Group.

The VCHA is a partnership between mental health, community, acute and ambulance trusts who adhere to a model of care for the Armed Forces community. The Steering Group makes up subject-matter experts from across the military and the NHS.

‘Veteran Aware’ is a recognition provided to trusts who have consistently demonstrated that they have tailored healthcare to the needs of the community, along with their families.

The VCHA Steering Group determined that ELFT meets the principles of the Armed Forces Act 2021. This Act of Parliament sets out an ‘Armed Forces Covenant’, recognising the sacrifices of the Armed Forces and seeks to remove disadvantages for service personnel.

Jane Kelly is ELFT’s Armed Forces Community Clinical Lead. She is responsible for leading the delivery of improvements for Armed Forces personnel at the Trust. She said: “I am absolutely overjoyed to be recognised once again for the high quality care we provide and commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant. To hear that we are providing the gold standard of care in London is testament to the hard work of colleagues, ensuring veterans’ voices remain front and centre to all decisions we make.”

NHS Veteran Aware Regional Lead, Anna-Marie Tipping, added: “I would like to personally thank the Trust and the tenacious leadership of Jane Kelly on ensuring that no member of the Armed Forces community will be disadvantaged in receiving healthcare or employment within the Trust. Her dedication to this community is commendable, and she has consistently met the values of the Trust.

“I would also like to thank everyone on the ELFT Armed Forces Working Group. I have been consistently struck by how open everyone has been to tell me about the work being undertaken at the Trust and how passionate everyone I speak to is about improving care for patients. I can see the Trust’s values are held in high regard alongside being implemented in all aspects of work and engagement.”

If you would like to learn more about the support that ELFT provides to the Armed Forces community, you can contact Jane at jane.kelly10@nhs.net.