Martin Hey, a Consultant Physiotherapist based at the Jo Cox Rehabilitation Centre and working within the Pain Management Service at Boothroyd Day Centre, has taken on the new role. This appointment reinforces the Trust’s commitment to veterans, reservists, service leavers, and military families, building on its status as a Veteran Aware organisation and a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award holder.
Mr Hey expressed his enthusiasm for the position, stating: “I’m looking forward to building on the excellent work already delivered by my predecessor, Jason Eyre, with support from Marc Smith. It’s a fantastic opportunity to help the Trust demonstrate its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, Veteran Aware accreditation and our wider ambitions to support the military community.”
A key priority for Mr Hey will be to increase awareness of the care available to veterans within the Trust. He also aims to recognise the contributions of colleagues who have served in the Armed Forces, are currently Reserve Forces members, or belong to a military family.
His interest in veteran healthcare stems from his extensive work in pain management. "Pain-related conditions are common among veterans and can often be linked to experiences during military service, although sometimes they are simply part of life in general," Mr Hey explained. "Through my role in the Pain Management Service, I’ve developed both my knowledge and experience in supporting veterans. For some individuals, the most effective care is tailored to their specific needs and takes into account their service background and experiences."
In his new capacity as Armed Forces Community Clinical Lead, Mr Hey will focus on strengthening the links between the Trust and the Armed Forces community. This initiative seeks to ensure that veterans, reservists, and military families consistently receive understanding, support, and personalised care.
