NHS Somerset has announced that its support for the Armed Forces has been highly commended at one of the UK’s most prestigious celebrations of healthcare excellence.

The commendation came at the Health Service Journal (HSJ) awards which recognises the innovative approach to supporting Somerset’s armed forces community in partnership with organisations across the county.

The initiative was designed to address long-standing challenges, which often left those in the armed forces community struggling to access the support they needed.

At the heart of the initiative are the armed forces hubs, developed in collaboration with Acts of Random Kindness (ARK) at Egwood and Arc in Taunton.

These hubs, staffed by dedicated armed forces link workers, provide advice, guidance, and referrals to address a wide range of needs, including mental health support, family wellbeing, housing, financial assistance and specialist PTSD care.

ARK provides therapeutic outdoor experiences, while Arc delivers housing and advice services, significantly extending the reach and effectiveness of the armed forces hubs.

Additionally, NHS Somerset has partnered with GP practices to achieve Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) veteran friendly accreditation, with 100 per cent of practices accredited.

NHS Somerset’s work has drawn attention from national leaders, including a visit from NHS England CEO Amanda Pritchard, who described the initiative as "inspirational" and a model for improving provision for the Armed Forces community across the country.

This recognition at the HSJ Awards reinforces the impact of the work done and underscores the importance of continued innovation and collaboration for the benefit of veterans, serving personnel, reservists and their families.