Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Reaccredited as Veteran Aware

Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has once again been recognised for its dedication to those who have served. The Trust has been reaccredited as Veteran Aware, reaffirming its ongoing commitment to supporting the armed forces community.

Supporting the Armed Forces Community

The accreditation from the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance recognises that the Trust understands and responds to the unique experiences and needs of veterans, serving personnel, reservists, and their families. It ensures that no matter where or when someone has served, they can access NHS services that respect and recognise their background.

This work aligns with the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which pledges that no member of the armed forces community should face disadvantage when accessing public services. In some cases, additional support may be provided in recognition of the sacrifices made by service members and their families.

Recognition for Staff Commitment

📷Sue Greenwood, Matron and Debbie Richards, Chief Executive standing below the Veteran Aware plaque at Camborne Redruth Community Hospital

Neill Wilson, progress coordinator and chair of the armed forces community staff network for the Trust, said:

“Having veteran aware accreditation helps to ensure that members of the armed forces community and their families receive the recognition, understanding, and support they deserve when accessing our services.”

The reaccreditation highlights the Trust’s role in demonstrating the NHS’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant and sharing best practice in care across the health service.

Annie Kenton, the Trust’s equality, diversity, and engagement co-ordinator, played a key role in the reaccreditation process by gathering evidence of support available to the armed forces community. Annie said:

“Several of our hospital sites are now proud to display their veteran aware plaques. They serve as a reminder to staff, patients, and families that we take the Armed Forces Covenant duties seriously.

Recording a patient’s status as a member of the armed forces community can bring positive outcomes for their care and ongoing support when leaving our services.

We now have 40 accredited service champions across the Trust who raise awareness and make links with organisations. The service champions can help us to meet the needs of these patients more effectively.”

You can find out more by watching Annie’s interview below.

A Veteran’s Send-Off

The Trust’s commitment to veterans was also reflected in the moving story of John*, a patient transferred to Helston Community Hospital for end-of-life care.

John mentioned he had completed national service with the RAF before losing consciousness. When he passed away, staff discovered he had no family or friends. His funeral was to be arranged by the local authority as a Public Health funeral.

When John left the hospital, he was wrapped in the RAF Ensign and received a salute from nurses lining the corridor. But Neill felt more could be done:

“When I found out that John had passed away, I contacted Colin Matthews, who are the local funeral directors, to let them know John would be coming to them. I wanted to find out if we could have a veteran attend the funeral as there was nobody to mourn him.”

What started as a small gesture soon grew. Veterans across the community rallied together to honour John. Neill said:

“I was at a local veteran’s breakfast morning and chatting to another veteran. I mentioned John and how we were trying to get him the send-off he deserved. To my surprise, he said he would attend and organise the RAF Association standard. Suddenly, we had the Royal British Legion and the Royal Naval Association saying that they would send a representative to the funeral.”

At the funeral, veterans and standard bearers walked ahead of John’s hearse, with a serving RAF flight sergeant attending in ceremonial uniform.

“It is so sad that we did not know much about John. It felt there was no one to grieve for this gentleman. I wanted to show that even in death, the armed forces community stands by our comrades and that he is going out with formal military honours.

Without the armed forces champion capturing John’s service none of this would have happened. This gentleman would have gone through the system as people who do not have anybody often do. It a shame that he would never know the send-off that he had, but I felt proud that we were able to do something special for him.”

You can watch Neill’s interview below.

Recognising Efforts Across Cornwall

Three community hospitals have already received their Veteran Aware plaques for going the extra mile to support the armed forces community. Helston and Camborne Redruth received theirs last year, while Launceston was presented with its plaque in a ceremony in September 2025. Four other sites are expected to follow in the coming months.

*Name changed to protect privacy.