The Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA) NHS Veteran Aware programme has been shortlisted for the Dame Elizabeth Anionwu Award for Inclusivity in Nursing and Midwifery at the 2025 Nursing Times Awards. The VCHA is being hosted by the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust.
The VCHA programme supports NHS trusts, independent providers, and hospices to deliver personalised, culturally competent care to the Armed Forces community. It promotes standards including staff training, Veteran identification, and links with military charities.
Helen Hurst, Queen’s Nurse and VCHA Projects Officer, has been instrumental in this achievement. She has led efforts to embed inclusive, personalised care for veterans across hospices in England. Her work ensures the Armed Forces community is identified, respected, and supported.
Winners will be announced in October at the Nursing Times Awards ceremony in London
