A SALISBURY trust is one of 25 to be given Veteran Aware accreditation.

Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust was granted Veteran Aware status by the Veterans Covenant Hospital Alliance (VCHA), who strive to improve NHS care and support for members of the armed forces community.

Under the VCHA, staff are trained to improve their awareness of a veteran's needs, as well as advising veterans about facilities available to them, including mental health services, financial claims and the relevant charities.

Cara Charles-Barks, Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust’s chief executive is "delighted" with the recognition for the trust, adding: "Our local community and the hospital has strong track record with the services, particularly with the army.

"Given the sacrifices the servicemen and women make, it is vital that Salisbury hospital continues to provide them with the best possible support."

Posters will be displayed in Salisbury clinics and waiting rooms to inform patients of the accreditation and encourage veterans to make themselves known to staff.

Professor Briggs, co-chair of the VCHA, said: "This is a fantastic achievement for these 25 hospitals, and it is just the beginning.

"Every NHS hospital will be invited to join the VCHA and become Veteran Aware and we hope to have tripled the total number of accredited hospitals by the end of 2019."

To find out more information about the scheme and which hospitals are Veteran Aware, visit the NHS website.