Gloucestershire Hospitals scoops recognition award for supporting Armed Forces
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been revalidated for the prestigious Gold award as part of the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) 2020. It is one of only 14 NHS trusts in the country to receive the gold award.
The Employer Recognition Scheme acknowledges businesses that are exemplary supporters of the Armed Forces Covenant, a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly.
Deborah Lee, Chief Executive Officer, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “I am incredibly proud that we are being recognised for our commitment to the Armed Forces. We work to embed the Armed Forces Covenant by using local Armed Forces resources and support services, to ensure improved health outcomes for serving personnel, veterans and their families who are patients in our Trust.
“We also have many staff working in our hospitals who have previously been members of the Armed Forces, have partners in the Armed Forces, or serve as Reservists. They are best placed to understand the difficulties these patients and their families experience, and the healthcare challenges they face.”
Businesses who hold ERS gold awards proactively advocate and support the Armed Forces community, both internally to employees and externally to the wider community. They have introduced HR policies to encourage the recruitment of Armed Forces personnel, spouses and veterans, and enable reservists to fulfil their annual training and mobilisation.