A Wirral health trust was awarded national accreditation for supporting veterans ahead of raising the flag for Armed Forces Week.

Wirral University Teaching Hospital Trust achieved the Veteran Aware accreditation for ensuring the high standards set by the national NHS team, the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA) supporting the needs of the armed forces community.

With an active Armed Forces Staff Network, supporting staff members who are ex-military, their family members and the wider Armed Forces Community, the Trust raised the Union Flag on Monday at Arrowe Park Hospital.

Mark Chidgey, the trust's chief finance officer and executive Partner for the Armed Forces Staff Network said: "It is fantastic that we have achieved the accreditation, and this shows our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community.

"I was privileged to raise the flag to mark the start of Armed Forces Week and feel really proud of all that we have achieved through the Armed Forces Staff Network.”

During the flag-raising ceremony, a prayer was shared, and a minute’s silence was observed in reflection for those in service, past and present.

It is the VCHA’s aim to make sure that patients from the Armed Forces Community, including families and dependants, are paid due regard, and are not disadvantaged in terms of access to, and outcomes of, healthcare, as a result of their military life.

This is in line with the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant which is a promise by the nation, ensuring that those who serve, or who have served, in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly.

VCHA regional lead Mandy Stokes said: "I am delighted with the excellence of the work carried out by Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

"The Trust has demonstrated its commitment to being Veteran Aware for both patients and staff and in building this into its wider Trust business to make sure that staff understand the needs of the armed forces community.”

VCHA Chairman, Prof Tim Briggs CBE, said: "More and more Trusts are seeing the value of Veteran Aware accreditations as seen through the numbers of Trusts that are now accredited. We now stand at 70% of NHS Trusts across England, which is a testament both to the dedication of my team and to the wider NHS family who work tirelessly on behalf of the military community despite the many pressures they will be under. Well done all."