Veterans' Orthopaedic Service

30/04/2026

It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Wayne Turner from the DMWS to the Veterans’ Orthopaedic Service hub yesterday.

Wayne was given a tour of the hub by Carl, before sitting down with Jules for an interview.

DMWS provides vital medical welfare support to those who serve, and have served, helping people navigate healthcare pathways and access the wider support they need during critical times.

Thank you for visiting us, Wayne. We really valued the opportunity to share more about the service and discuss the important support available to veterans.

Watch the full video here: https://vimeo.com/1188112051/42a9e8677d?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

24/04/2026

A very informative network session at the veteran’s hub today for the veteran centre volunteers, and we were also joined by a few veterans who were visiting the centre.

Shropshire Council Armed Forces Outreach Project, The Battle Back Recovery Centre, SSAFA Shropshire and Veterans Service/Veterans UK all spoke about the support available to our armed forces community and how individuals can make referrals to those relevant services.

Lots of very good discussions, information sharing and takeaways for all to think about.

Another example of the amazing wraparound support that is offered by the Veterans Orthopaedic Service.

Thank you to everyone who contributed.

22/04/2026

Here’s the entrance to the Headley Court building, a pioneering facility built specifically for Armed Forces veterans, right here at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital.

While we’re here to provide specialist orthopaedic care, you don’t need to be using our services to come by. If you’re a veteran, you’re always welcome to visit, connect with others, and spend some time in the cafe over a coffee and a chat.

It’s a space for support, but also for community.

21/04/2026

Inside the Headley Court building, we’re proud to have a framed image of Sir Robert Jones, the founder of our hospital.

Sir Robert Jones is widely recognised as one of the pioneers of modern orthopaedic surgery. During the First World War, he served in the Royal Army Medical Corps and went on to become Inspector of Military Orthopaedics, transforming how injured soldiers were treated and helping establish dedicated military orthopaedic hospitals.

His work didn’t just change medicine, it directly improved survival rates and recovery for thousands of servicemen, shaping the standards of care we still follow today.

At the Veterans’ Orthopaedic Service, he’s someone we look up to every day. His legacy continues to guide what we do, delivering specialist care to those who have served.

16/04/2026

Big congratulations to the DMWS on becoming a Disability Confident Leader 👏

A truly well-deserved recognition for an organisation that continues to make a real difference through the support, care, and opportunities it provides every day.

DMWS are proud to celebrate becoming a Disability Confident Leader!

We were delighted to be awarded this status by Department for Work and Pensions - DWP and have our hard work recognised.

To find out more, read our article at https://dmws.org.uk/dmws-achieves-disability-confident-leader/

alt text: disability confident leader logo

15/04/2026

Are you signed up to The League of Friends RJAH Newsletter? If not we'd highly reccomend it to keep up to date with what's happening behind the scenes, as well as manyy feel good stories shared from beyond the doors at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust!

Check out our Spring Let's be Friends newsletter 💌

In this latest edition we introduce our Volunteer Mentors, discover the ways we've been supporting The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital and hear about some fantastic fundraising!

Grab a cuppa and catch up with your Friends here 👉https://friendsrjah.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Spring-Newsletter-2026.pdf

14/04/2026

Check out this video, where you can see a recovering veteran embracing the slopes and watching an ongoing Biathlon Course!

It’s always amazing to see the recovery post-operation and back to doing the things they love.

06/04/2026

A huge shoutout to our incredible Sarah Newey, who continues to go above and beyond in support of Veterans’ Orthopaedic Service 👏

After taking on the Arctic Trek, her very first challenge, Sarah isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Next up… the legendary London Marathon later this month 🏃‍♀️

Her dedication, resilience and commitment to making a difference is nothing short of inspiring, and we’re so proud to have her representing us on such a big stage.

If you’d like to support Sarah and help us continue our work, please visit the link below and donate whatever you can: https://bit.ly/4e4eStI

04/04/2026

Here’s a look at what our incredible volunteers have been up to over the past month, a collection of moments reflecting their dedication, community spirit, as well as some truly inspiring achievements.

Here are just a few highlights:
➡️ The Hub marked St David’s Day in style, including a fantastic 3D printed dragon created by one of the patients.
➡️ A brilliant day revisiting history with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Anglian Regimental Band, performing the credits of Blackadder Goes Forth in Colchester.
➡️ A wonderful trip to Italy, helping to spread the word and connect with new communities.
➡️ An extraordinary achievement crossing the finish line of an Arctic trek, exhausted, but immensely proud, with well-earned rest and recovery now underway.
➡️ The successful completion of Challenge One of Op Endurance, a testament to resilience and determination.

Take a moment to watch the video and celebrate the people who make the Veterans’ Orthopaedic Service possible.

03/04/2026

We love sharing moments of proud history and this most certainly is one worth remembering!

This image features Myra Jones from Oswestry, one of three nursing orderlies who flew on the very first casualty evacuation missions to Normandy during WWII. Together, they became known as the “Flying Nightingales.”

Serving aboard RAF Dakota aircraft, these women played a vital role in caring for wounded soldiers, showing extraordinary courage and compassion in the most challenging conditions.

From left to right: Leading Aircraftwoman Myra Roberts (Oswestry), Corporal Lydia Alford (Eastleigh), and Leading Aircraftwoman Edna Birbeck (Wellingborough).

You can find this and many more powerful historical images through the Imperial War Museum archives. Learn more about the Flying Nightingales here: https://bbc.in/4lMSEOK

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

31/03/2026

Meet Trevor Foster 👋

One of our incredible volunteers, Trevor shares his story, from his upbringing, to his time in the RAF, and what ultimately inspired him to join the Veterans’ Orthopaedic Service.

His journey is a powerful reminder of the experience, dedication and compassion that our volunteers bring to the service every single day. Trevor is a huge part of our team, and we’re proud to have him with us.

We love shining a light on the people who make this all possible, because without our volunteers, we simply couldn’t do what we do.

Watch: https://tinyurl.com/4ae2drne

28/03/2026

We’re proud to share that our Veterans’ Orthopaedic Service has been reaccredited as Veteran Aware 👏

This recognition, awarded by the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance, reflects our continued commitment to delivering high-quality, personalised care for the Armed Forces community, including veterans, serving personnel, reservists and their families.

Being Veteran Aware means we:
➡️ Understand and uphold the Armed Forces Covenant
➡️ Ensure no member of the Armed Forces community is disadvantaged in accessing care
➡️ Train our teams to recognise and support veteran-specific needs
➡️ Work closely with specialist services and charities to provide the right support

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust