Celebrating Armed Forces Day at Ashford and St Peter's hospitals in 2021.
ASPH has been named a Veteran Aware Trust as they join the wave of Veteran Aware trusts committed to helping serving members, veterans and their families access healthcare services and find new careers in the NHS.
This highly acclaimed Veteran Aware accreditation was formally awarded in December in recognition of the vital support ASPH provides the Armed Forces and their families. They join the 105 Trusts across the United Kingdom leading the way to improve care within the NHS and help veterans back into the workforce.
ASPH was one of the first trusts to sign up to the NHS ‘Step into Health’ recruitment programme, where veterans and reservists are introduced to NHS employers who provide support and guidance on finding a role in the NHS. To find out more about a career with ASPH, veterans should contact us on
At the heart of the Trust’s Veteran strategy is also ensuring that the Armed Forces community have access to a care pathway both in and outside the hospital. To help with this, the Trust work with community partners to sign post veterans to various support groups.
Other force-friendly ASPH initiatives include the ‘Armed Forces Community training’ to raise staff awareness of the services available to Armed Forces and veterans, a dedicated website with signposting and being able to recognise Armed Forces personnel when they join the NHS or access our patient services.
Download our information leaflet or on this poster for community support sites.
We also have a Directory of Resources for veterans, families, and professionals.
You can find out more about the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme on the GOV.UK website.
Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals Chairman Andy Field, Chief Executive Suzanne Rankin, and Col Ash Boreham signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2019, formally marking the Trust’s commitment to the serving members of the armed forces as well as veterans and their families.
Hospitals win Gold for Supporting the Armed Forces at Work
The Ministry of Defence have awarded ASPH with Gold Employer status under the Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) in recognition of the value they place on supporting the Armed Forces in the workplace.
ASPH join 24 Trusts to receive the highest recognition for their commitment to the Armed Forces community, achieving the Gold ERS award. The ERS scheme was launched in 2014 by David Cameron to recognise employers who support and align their values with the wider principles of the Armed Forces Covenant. The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly ... read the fulll article
Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club
Have you or a family member ever served or are serving in the Armed Forces?
Come and join us in the EDU kitchen on the last Friday of the month at 10am for our Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club.
Other clubs can be found at www.afvbc.net/club-search.
Forces Connect
If you or a member of your family are serving, have previously served, or if you support members of the Armed Forces community then the Forces Connect app is designed for you.
The app links users to local and national organisations offering help and support across a wide range of services in just four simple clicks. From crisis support to searching for an NHS dentist, starting a business to advice on housing.
