We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant
We are delighted to announce that we have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, ensuring those who serve or who have served in the armed forces - and their families - are treated with fairness and respect.
The Trust came together alongside University College Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Barts Health NHS Trust to sign the documentation with Colonel Wilkinson from the Honourable Artillery Company.
Signing the Armed Forces Covenant means that, as an employer and healthcare provider, we are committed to ensuring that we treat those who serve, or have served their country in the United Kingdom armed forces fairly, and that they are not disadvantaged because of their service.
As an employer, this means making sure we have policies and practices in place for recruiting and retaining staff that promote being armed forces-friendly and that we are open to employing reservists, armed forces veterans (including the wounded, injured and sick), cadet instructors and military spouses/partners.
It also means that we are committed to ensuring that the armed forces community is never disadvantaged compared to other patients, in line with the NHS’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.
We will work to improve the quality and accessibility of our services for patients who are members of the armed forces community, especially those who are most vulnerable, such as the wounded, injured and sick veterans, and increase awareness and understanding of the specific health and social needs of the armed forces community among our staff and partners.
This will involve training relevant staff on veteran-specific culture or needs and making veterans, reservists and service families aware of appropriate charities or NHS services beneficial to them, such as mental health services or support with financial and/or benefit claims.