Each month, we will be showcasing best practice from across NHS trusts delivering the NHS Armed Forces healthcare training and education programme. From innovative engagement approaches to impactful training delivery, these examples highlight how organisations are embedding Armed Forces awareness into their workforce and improving care for the Armed Forces community.
The East of England has been busy rolling out the NHS Armed Forces training and education programme with almost 1500 members of the NHS workforce in the region trained.
There are three standout trusts, all of whom have already trained 5% of their workforce since the national initiative was rolled out in November 2025.
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust has the second highest number of staff trained in England and their Armed Force lead used some clever and innovative ideas to promote the programme. Teams invites were sent to every member of staff to attend a 10-minute meeting with the Armed Force lead, to both watch the Module One awareness video and learn more about the evolving Amed Forces network at the Trust. Following on from this success, 30-minute sessions have been sent through to every staff member throughout April and May providing an opportunity to receive Module Three (workforce module) delivered by myself.
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust identified several meetings for delivery and in addition to this, their Armed Forces lead presented Module One at a palliative care conference, which resulted in further requests for training and support. Additionally, the Trust have also added education sessions in their training calendar for April through to June to provide opportunities for staff to join me and complete Module Three.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, through their Armed Forces lead, have added Module One to their Trust’s induction. Additionally, I have delivered Module Two (leadership module) to over 70 senior leaders in their organisation, demonstrating their commitment to provide Armed Forces aware care to the patients utilising their services.
The appetite for engaging with the training has been fantastic and so many other trusts have plans over the next few months to roll out the programme further. Additionally, at least 12 trusts are signed up for a regional training roadshow in Armed Forces week where in person delivery will be offered to staff at least 13 sites.
A huge well done and thank you to all those engaged with the training, in particular those who have helped to champion and drive this programme forward in their trust. If you are interested in learning more, please don’t hesitate to contact me via the national mailbox: rnoh.vcha.ntep@nhs.net. I look forward to hearing from you and seeing even more from the region on future training sessions!
