Conference sets ambitious national agenda, aligning research with veterans’ service needs
The inaugural Aged Veterans’ Research Conference took place on 2 October at the National Army Museum. Co-hosted by the Royal Hospital Chelsea and the Northern Hub for Veterans and Military Families Research at Northumbria University, it saw researchers and key organisations who deliver services for veterans come together to discuss: ‘How do we best to meet the needs of the nearly 1 million older veterans living in the UK?’
Representatives from Northumbria and Edinburgh Universities joined senior leaders from the care and charity sectors, along with senior staff from the Royal Hospital Chelsea and The Royal Star and Garter charity to interrogate this crucial question. Speakers discussed improved coordination of research and the development of veterans’ services alongside a robust advocacy plan for government and policymakers.
“It is exciting to be part of this initiative, bringing research evidence to the centre of decisions that will shape the care and support of aged veterans both now, and in the future. As we look toward to 2026, we invite more individuals and institutions to join us in this vital mission - to honour our veterans’ service with knowledge, action, and impact.”
said Dr Jeremy Tuck CBE, Director of Health & Wellbeing at Royal Hospital Chelsea.
The programme drove thought-provoking presentations and animated discussions on the themes of aged veterans’ needs, utilising evidence to better target veterans services and measuring the impact of services on veterans’ quality of life.
The Royal Hospital’s Governor, General Sir Adrian Bradshaw KCB OBE DL, invited the participants to be ambitious and lead on developing a strategy which will move research and service development forward while working with COBSEO to bring the work to the widest audience.
The 2026 conference will be held in Newcastle, where the aim is to invite organisations on both a national and international scale, to make an even greater positive impact for future generations of veterans.
The Royal Hospital is a home to some 300 veterans of the British Army, and since 1692 has provided the highest standard of care in recognition of their military service. The Royal Hospital has been recognised as providing ‘Outstanding’ care in its Infirmary by the Care Quality Commission and has also very recently been reaccredited with the Gold Standard Framework (GSF) Quality Hallmark Award for End of Life Care. This nationally recognised award reflects the continued commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate care.
If you would like to read more about developing the Royal Hospital’s evidence base, you can access Dr Helen Cullen’s Northumbria University PhD research paper here.