Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (HIOWH) has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, confirming its commitment to supporting armed forces personnel, veterans, reservists, cadet volunteers and their families - both as a healthcare provider and as an employer.
The signing took place aboard HMS Victory in Portsmouth. Neil Hayward, Chair of the Trust, signed on behalf of the organisation. Lieutenant Commander Steve Cass RN, Commanding Officer of HMS Victory, signed on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a national pledge to treat armed forces communities fairly and without disadvantage in access to public services.
Around 175,000 people in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have a connection to military service – nearly 9% of the local population. Many are patients, carers or members of the NHS workforce.
Neil Hayward, Chair of the Trust, said: “We proudly serve one of the country’s largest armed forces communities. Signing the Covenant is about recognising that and acting on it – in the care we provide and in how we support our staff.”
The Trust’s pledge includes:
- Fair access to NHS care
- Priority treatment for service-related conditions, based on clinical need
- Armed forces-aware mental health and community services
- Active recruitment of veterans, reservists and military families
- Support for staff who serve as reservists or cadet leaders
- Participation in national events and partnerships with military charities
The Trust already runs a dedicated Armed Forces programme and staff network, working with local military units, veteran support organisations and other NHS bodies. It plays a key role in delivering Armed Forces-aware services across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. It also supports armed forces charities, staff reservists and cadet volunteers, and works closely with Covenant Partnership groups in the region.
In August HIOWH received a Veteran Aware accreditation from the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA), underlining the Trust’s commitment to the HIOW Armed Forces community and pledging to deliver care that understands and respects the unique needs of veterans, serving personnel, and their families.
Read more about the Trust’s support for the Armed Forces online.