Publish date: 13 November 2025
Chris Ormandy-Brooks awarded Merit Coin in recognition of support for veterans
We are delighted to announce that Chris Ormandy-Brooks, Integrated Care Team Co-Ordinator, has been awarded the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA) Merit Coin - an honour given to those who make a significant impact on the lives of veterans and their families.
Chris’s Journey
Chris is an ex-service man, serving for nine years in the RAF before leaving in 2011. After his military service, Chris retrained as a nurse, graduating in Adult Nursing from Edgehill. He went on to become a District Nurse Team Leader at Mersey Care, and in March this year, joined the interdisciplinary Integrated Care Team (ICT).
Chris’s background in the armed forces, combined with his experience in care, gives him a unique perspective. On home visits, Chris naturally looks for signs that someone may have served - a photo in uniform or a medal on display. By simply asking, “Have you ever served?” Chris opens the door for people to share aspects of their past that can shape their care needs.
Have you, or an immediate family member, ever served in the UK armed forces?
The ICT at Mersey Care works closely with third sector partners like Veterans HQ, creating a strong support network for the ex-forces community. This partnership means veterans can access counselling, housing, and support with social isolation more quickly and effectively.
Chris’s proven track record in connecting people with specialised support has inspired the rest of the ICT to confidently ask, “Have you ever served?” - knowing there is dedicated help available. To date, the team has supported over 20 people who are ex-forces or part of the ex-forces community.
Working in partnership
Ian Tumilty, Operations Director at Veterans HQ, said:
“Chris has really impressed all the staff and volunteers at Liverpool Veterans HQ, with dedication and passion in supporting armed forces veterans and the wider all forces community.
Being a RAF veteran himself, this shared experience has enabled Chris to be immediately accepted by all. He attends our Thursday morning NAAFI break, offering advice and guidance to our veteran service users and their families. He enjoys the banter with the other veterans and holds his own with regard to the interservice rivalry.
We regularly discuss individual referrals to the ICT and referrals from the ICT to Liverpool Veterans HQ; this is an example of a successful partnership between a statutory agency and the third sector.”
The official Merit Coin letter reads: “We are delighted to include a letter of congratulations for a successful nomination for a Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance Merit Coin. Many thanks for all the work you undertake and for making a difference in the lives of the Armed Forces community.”
Congratulations to Chris on this well deserved recognition. His lived experience, compassion, and dedication continue to make a real difference for veterans and their families.
This page contains further help and advice for staff when supporting patients, service users and colleagues who are members of the armed forces or ex-armed forces community.
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