On Remembrance Day, Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) is proud to announce that it has been formally recognised as a Veteran Aware trust.
The accreditation highlights EPUT as providing the best care for veterans and driving forward improvements in their care throughout the NHS.
The accreditation from the Veterans Covenant
Hospital Alliance recognises the work of our Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service (TILS) which aims to re-integrate service users into everyday life by helping them access therapy for anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Paul Scott, Chief Executive at EPUT, said: “Trauma experienced during service can have a devastating effect on the lives of service men and women so I am proud of the support EPUT is able to offer veterans who may experience mental health problems later in life.
“It is particularly fitting that we have been able to share this news on Remembrance Day.”
The accreditation demonstrates a commitment that EPUT will train its staff to understand veterans’ needs and ensure members of the armed forces community do not face disadvantage when seeking help from our services. Where beneficial, our staff will signpost those in need to other services available locally that can offer additional support.
The accreditation builds on the Trust signing the Armed Forces Covenant last year and receiving silver accreditation from the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) in August.
Both represent a commitment to treating service personnel, veterans and their families with fairness and respect and highlight the Trust to be a forces-friendly employer that supports the recruitment of ex-armed forces personnel, members of the armed forces and their partners.
David Powell, regional lead of the TILs service, said: “Achieving Veteran Aware status demonstrates the passion that staff across all of our services have for recognising the human cost of military service.
“It shows our armed forces personnel and veterans that we are there when they need us and that they will be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.”
EPUT is one of four NHS Trusts to have been awarded Veteran Aware accreditation this week.