Armed Forces Advocate Service Development

Chris Blyth, Armed Forces Advocate, Chris.Blyth@jpaget.nhs.uk

Introduction. This project was to set up a new
service in James Paget University Hospital.
The focus would be to support inpatients who
are members of the Armed Service Community.
The initial idea was to offer and source
additional support to people that need it on
discharge. However during development we
found the service could offer a lot more.
Aim. To develop a role which can
offer support to members of the
Armed Service Community. To
guide development, the eight
standards of the Veteran Aware
manifesto were used.
Background. The project is being jointly
funded by the Armed Forces Covenant and
NHS England & NHS Improvement. The
project was developed to help address
inequalities the Service Community may face
when accessing healthcare and to offer support
from one of the many organisations that focus
on the Armed Forces.

The Trust committed its pledge to the Armed Forces

Stage 1
The Trust understands and is compliant
with the Armed Forces Covenant.
Covenant in June 2022. It also demonstrated the
standards required for Veteran Aware and Defence
Employment recognition scheme silver revalidation in
July 2022.

Clinical champion – Paul Morris, Stage 2

Managerial champion – Chris Blyth. The Trust has clearly designated
Trust Reserve champions - Veteran’s Champions.
John Williams, Ben Cook.
Our Armed Forces Advocate is a registered Step Into Health
mentor for the Trust.
Stage 3 The Trust advertises its non-clinical jobs on the Career Transition
The Trust supports the UK Armed Partnership website (used by all service leavers as part of
Forces as an employer. resettlement training).
The trust is a member of the Forces Families Jobsite.
The Trust offers a guaranteed interview scheme for service leavers

Stage 4
Armed Forces Community training is conducted during
Staff at the Trust are trained and
mandatory Safeguarding training (over 700 staff trained).
educated in the needs of veterans.
Training booked until April 2024.

Stage 5
The Trust has established links with
appropriate nearby veteran services.
More than 180 veteran patients have been identified so
far and 50+ have been referred to 20 different support
organisations. A number are now receiving support and
the others family/individuals are in contact with the
organisation.
The Armed Forces Advocate (AFA) completes follow up
appointments after discharge.
More than 20 patients and family supported by the AFA
(engaging with case managers, social workers, IDT and
family). Welfare packs funded by local RBL members
and information packs for patients are available.
Stage 7
The Trust identifies veterans to ensure
they receive appropriate care.
Trust awareness of veterans has significantly been raised.
The James Paget Hospital website is a support hub for all
members of the Armed Forces Community (includes
information on support, reservists, local events and
employment).
Numerous social media posts, radio interviews & internal
communications circulated to raise awareness.
Guest Speaker at county RBL information day, RBL branch
meetings, breakfast clubs and coffee mornings. Part of an Op
Courage Veterans champion regional training team.
Coffee/information mornings being held at the trust and
funded by local organisations. One completed in Nov 22 (40+
attended) and four planned for 2023.
Links have been established with both Norfolk and Suffolk county councils
Armed Forces Champions.
A network has been set up with other local NHS Trusts - QEH, NNUH and
NSFT.
The Armed Forces Advocate is part of support organisation networks
(WWTW, RAFB and Op Courage).
Connections made with local and national support organisations including:
all local RBL, SSAFA, RAFB Fund branches and Op Courage (We are
trialling professional pathways with these organisations for quicker
referrals).
Stage 6
The Trust will refer veterans to other
services as appropriate.
The Hospital Admission book and the Trust electronic patient management
system has been updated and veterans are now identified as part of the
inpatient booking in process. (Initial trial indicate 83% of the admission
book and 91% of the electronic management system was up-to-date with
this information).
Admission reports are generated daily and shared with the AFA.
Posters encouraging patients to self-identify are up around the hospital
and every ward has a copy of the AFA contact details.
Community support organisations refer to our AFA for support.
Stage 8
The Trust raises awareness of veterans.
Future Intent. Focus on the sustainability of the role both in the Trust and
within the local community. Continue to raise awareness for the Armed
Forces Community and engage with support organisations.