Standing alongside our Armed Forces community

24th June 2026/

  • Armed Forces Day on Saturday 27 June on Plymouth Hoe recognises the contribution of current and veteran service men and women.

  • More than one in 12 residents of Plymouth and South West Devon has served in the armed forces.

  • As an accredited Veteran Aware organisation, St Luke’s is committed to delivering personalised, respectful and informed end-of-life care for veterans in our community.

As this year’s Armed Forces Day on Plymouth Hoe approaches (27 June), St Luke’s is proud to be recognised as a Veteran Aware organisation. We understand that patients from military backgrounds and their families feel more at ease when the end-of-life care they receive acknowledges the service they have given and the things they may have experienced.

St Luke’s is proud to be a Veteran Aware organisation

A strong presence in our community

Our catchment area has one of the highest concentrations of armed forces veterans in England. Around 8.4% of Plymouth residents – approximately one in 12 – have previously served. In South West Devon, that figure rises to 9.5%, compared to a national average of 3.8%.

The veteran population is also more varied than many of us realise. While half of veterans are aged 65 and above, a large number are in their 50s and early 60s, and a significant proportion are younger.

Some face challenges that are not always visible, including mental health difficulties, isolation, or barriers to accessing care. In some cases, a terminal diagnosis can bring past experiences back into sharp focus.

We deliver personalised, respectful, informed and compassionate care for our Armed Forces community when and where they need it.

Understanding what the right support looks like

That’s why it’s so important that we deliver personalised, respectful, informed and compassionate care for our Armed Forces community when and where they need it.

Latest figures show that in 2024-25 we cared for 67 patients who identified as former or present members of the armed forces.

The simple question that makes a difference

To make sure we offer them the right support, we make it part of our routine to ask all our patients the simple question: “Have you ever served?”

If the answer is “yes”, we can tailor our care to the person’s individual needs, connect them with one of our Armed Forces Champions, offer emotional and practical support, and signpost them to trusted organisations and links to our partners in the local community, including veteran organisations and groups.

At St Luke’s we are continually working towards a better understanding of how to support patients with a military background.

Our ongoing commitment

At St Luke’s we are continually working towards a better understanding of how to support patients with a military background and their loved ones by listening and learning about how best to shape our care. And we are committed to keeping those conversations going. See St Luke’s Military and Veterans Services information.

A spectacular family-friendly day

Saturday, 27 June is Armed Forces Day on Plymouth Hoe – a free event with parades, displays, music, and a Veterans’ Village. It’s a welcome chance to come together and reflect on the service and contribution of so many in our community.

Military & Veterans Services Plymouth Armed Forces Day

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