Latest news

Posted on 26 Oct 2023

The first ever NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICS Health and Care Awards took place on 24 October and the Veteran Care Through Custody (VCTC) project won the Lord-Lieutenant’s Partnership Award and was announced as the overall winner of the evening. 

The project is a unique partnership between the Offender Health team at Nottinghamshire Healthcare and the veteran’s charity Care after Combat. 

The awards were organised to celebrate success across the Integrated Care System - a partnership of NHS services, local authorities, public sector and voluntary organisations. The awards were run in partnership with the Nottinghamshire Lieutenancy as part of their commitment to mark 75 years of the NHS.

Ifti Majid, Chief Executive at Nottinghamshire Healthcare said:

“We are incredibly proud of the Veteran Care Through Custody project and thrilled to see it not only win a category but also crowned the overall winner of the awards. Partnership working is key to the success of this project, and it has been fantastic to see the incredible impact it has had and how it has transformed the lives of nearly 500 veterans. Huge congratulations to everyone involved.” 

The project offers specialist healthcare and holistic wraparound services to veterans in prison.

Dr Jane Jones, Clinical Lead at Nottinghamshire Healthcare.

 

“The Veteran Care through Custody team are truly honoured to have their work recognised in these awards, winning a category and also being announced as the overall winner makes us feel extremely proud. The service addresses the specialist needs of veterans in prison and honours the commitments enshrined in the Armed Forces Covenant. The service works in collaboration with veterans in custody and their families to provide care to veterans in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire prisons equal to services provided in the community, whilst at the same time addressing the additional complexities of offending behaviour.

 

“Through partnership working, healthcare assessment and intervention, training, and involvement of Care after Combat mentorship, our service has helped veterans regain their wellbeing, pride and commitment to society.”

Veterans in the justice system frequently have complex and multiple physical and mental health needs, often attributable to their service in defending the nation. Working together with prison healthcare teams and other prison and probation staff, VCTC helps each veteran address their individual needs, and prepare as fully as possible for their release from prison and reintegration back into the community. This includes thinking about aspects such as family, accommodation, finance, employment, and ongoing support needs, making critical preparations in good time before leaving custody. Care after Combat mentors stay with veterans on their journey as they transition through the gates back into ‘civvy life’; a handrail should the veteran need it.

Adrian Kirk, Chief Executive Officer, Care after Combat said:

“We are really proud to see our work with Notts Healthcare announced as winners in these awards. Since forming in 2017 VCTC has helped nearly 500 veterans get their lives back on track. A combination of veteran specific clinical interventions from Notts Healthcare together with the wrap-around support of staff and volunteers from Care after Combat has seen incredible results in terms of health and wellbeing outcomes for some of our nation’s most vulnerable veterans.”

VCTC has developed specialist aspects to its service delivery. Working in partnership with Care after Combat has meant that aspects of our service are available to all veterans across England and Wales. 

Harry, who has been supported by the service said:

“When I came to prison, I was morally, emotionally, and physically broken. Throughout my sentence, Veteran Care Through Custody have supported me in ways I never thought possible. The support and guidance they provide is second to none, every step of the way they have enabled me to come to terms with and deal with my issues.”

Mark commented on the support he has received:

“I am now living a crime free life and will not go back to prison. Peter was with me at every step and helped me to deal with every challenge I faced, both in prison and when released, I could not have done it without his support.”

Nottinghamshire Healthcare colleagues were shortlisted in five nominations . All shortlisted for their dedication to working together to provide outstanding care.

Winners were announced at the awards ceremony on 24 October .