SUPPORT sessions for military personnel, veterans and their families are now being offered at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt (RJAH) Orthopaedic Hospital.

The outreach sessions are being run in partnership with Shropshire Council, to provide information on housing, healthcare, finance and benefits, education, wellbeing and employment.

Sarah Kerr, Armed Forces Outreach Support co-ordinator at Shropshire Council, is delighted to be working with the hospital and is encouraging any patient with a military link to pay a visit.

She said: "We’re thrilled to be working with RJAH to support their military and veteran patients and their families.

"I’d encourage any RJAH patient with a military link to come and visit us – there are so many opportunities out there for our current and ex-service people to take advantage of and improve their quality of life.

"I work with a range of organisations and charities such as Veterans UK, Royal British Legion, Combat Stress, Walking with the Wounded and SSAFA to give everyone the best advice and guidance possible."

Along with support from those organisations and charities, Sarah will be in the main entrance at the Orthopaedic Hospital every Thursday offering signposting, support and advice.

Back in 2017, the Trust signed the Armed Forces Covenant – a pledge of support to the people who are serving in, or who have served in the Armed Forces.

It also sets out how the trust will demonstrate its commitment, including promoting its armed-forces-friendly status and seeking to support the employment of veterans, young and old.

RJAH also received the prestigious Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award from the Ministry of Defence in the summer of 2018, which is given to organisations who have demonstrated outstanding support for those who serve and have served in the Armed Forces.

Later on in 2018, RJAH was accredited as Veteran Aware Trust which means patients who have served in the UK Armed Forces will be cared for by frontline staff who have received training and education on their specific needs.

It is also the only NHS organisation in Shropshire which supports the Step into Health scheme which aims to help service leavers, veterans and their families’ gain experience and develop further skills.

Mark Brandreth, chief executive, said: "I’m delighted we’re working in partnership with Shropshire Council to provide support sessions for our military and veteran patients.

"RJAH is an organisation that really values its Armed Forces staff and patients. We run a thriving Veterans’ Orthopaedic Service and also launched a £1.5 million fundraising appeal for the UK’s first Veterans’ Centre.

"These outreach support sessions are about going beyond offering healthcare and instead offering a full holistic service to our veterans.

"I am pleased that we are able to work with Shropshire Council to do just that."