Supporting our armed forces community
We support our patients who have links to the armed forces, and commit to them having fair access to our services.
The armed forces community includes:
- serving member of the forces
- reservists
- veterans
- immediate family members of someone who has served or is serving
We are proud to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant. The Armed Forces Covenant website has details on:
Support for patients and families
If you have served in the military, please let us know when you speak to a member of our staff, so that we can better serve you.
We have made a series of pledges, such as:
- ensuring members of the armed forces community are never disadvantaged when receiving care. If you are still serving, this also includes your immediate family.
- training for staff on veteran-specific needs
- providing career development opportunities
- referring to specialist armed forces support organisations and services. For example, the Chavasse musculoskeletal clinic for service personnel and veterans
We are a Veteran Aware Trust. This means that we are leading the way in improving veterans care in the NHS, as part of the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA)
Supporting the armed forces community to work for us
We recognise the values and transferable skills that the armed forces community can bring to the NHS, such as:
- leadership and management
- communication and teamwork
- loyalty and commitment
- ability to adapt to change
We are an active member of Step into Health. This programme supports the armed forces community to find training and job opportunities in the NHS, as part of transitioning to a civilian career. We provide support and advice about working in the NHS.
Supporting our staff
Our Armed Forces Network (AFN) provides support for our staff members who have served or are serving in the armed forces, or would like to. The network connects staff from the armed forces community to provide mutual support and advice.
Membership is open to anyone who wants to support the armed forces community. This includes staff, patients, relatives and others.
We encourage staff to become service champions. Service champions are staff who champion the armed forces community within the Trust. Training is provided to help service champions understand the needs of the armed forces community and how to support them.
If you are interesting in joining, please contact our Armed Forces Network.
Training opportunities for people serving in the armed forces
We provide training opportunities to military healthcare workers. This supports military doctors, dentists, and nurses to:
- gain experience in treating and caring for people with traumatic injuries and other health conditions
- prepare to deploy onto military operations
- transition to a civilian career
Further information
The Royal British Legion offers lifelong support to serving and ex-serving personnel and their families.
SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, offers welfare support to people in the armed forces, veterans, and their families.
Combat Stress offers mental health support to veterans.
Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) supports people in the armed forces and veterans when they’re staying in hospital.
The Confederation of Service Charities website has a full list of the support available to people in the armed forces and their families.
Op COURAGE can help if you’re finding life difficult after leaving the military.
Op FORTITUDE helps homeless veterans in England.
Op RESTORE is a veterans physical health and wellbeing service.
Contact details
You can contact the Armed Forces Network at King’s on:
Email: [email protected]
Armed Forces Network Lead: Lt Col Alex Saunders RAMS