Need to know

New service to help veterans admitted to Hull hospitals - all you need to know

Support is offered while veterans are in hospital or discharged home

[The main entrances of Castle Hill Hospital, left, and Hull Royal Infirmary]

The main entrances of Castle Hill Hospital, left, and Hull Royal Infirmary(Image: Humber Health Partnership)

'Were aiming to make sure all veterans get the help they need when they need it' - Jan Fillinger

1. Veterans who are admitted to Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital are set to benefit from a new service to help them while they are in hospital and once they are discharged home. Hull University Teaching Hospitals (HUTH), part of NHS Humber Health Partnership, is working with Hull 4 Heroes charity to identify any inpatients who served or are currently serving in the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force.
2. Ward teams will be asked to check if their patient served with the Armed Forces and to record the fact that they are a veteran on their notes. Patients will be asked if they wish to be put in contact with Hull 4 Heroes to help them once they are home from hospital and leaflets displaying the charitys offer of support will be displayed on wards.
3. As well as supporting veterans and those currently serving in the Armed Forces throughout their time in hospital and once they are discharged home, the charity can also provide peer support and a 24/7 helpline. Jan Fillinger, who was a former patient experience manager in the NHS, will be taking up the voluntary role with the charity to support veterans coming into hospital.
4. She said: Very often, veterans can benefit from external forms of support once theyve left the service, no matter how long ago that was. Were aiming to make sure all veterans get the help they need when they need it, particularly if theyre suffering ill health.
5. As well as making sure theyre getting all the support they need at home, it will also benefit the hospitals by making sure people can be discharged from hospital once theyre well enough, providing theyve got that support in place. Patients can also contact the charity directly by calling 01482 534483 or by emailing support@hull4heroes.org.uk
6. HUTH has just been notified by the Ministry of Defence that its Employee Recognition Scheme Gold Award for its work to support veterans and offer career opportunities to those leaving the services has been revalidated for a further five years. Both HUTH and its partner Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Foundation Trust have also been jointly awarded Veterans Aware status by the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance in recognition of the support for veterans.
7. Did you know you can make Hull Live a preferred source of Hull news in Google, which will mean you get more of our breaking news, exclusives, and must-read stories straight away? Here's more information about what this means and how to do it - you can also do it straight away by clicking here .