UHDB awarded Gold Award by Ministry of Defence for supporting Armed Forces personnel
UHDB has been awarded a Gold Award by the Ministry of Defence as part of their Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) which recognises organisations that go above and beyond to support those who serve in the Armed Forces, veterans and their families.
Launched in 2014, the ERS celebrates employers who help to provide wider support to those with links to the Armed Forces, including reservists, cadets, families of those in the forces and those who have been wounded during their service.
UHDB was awarded with the Silver Award in 2017, but following the incredible hard work of our colleagues and Armed Forces Network, it has today been announced that the Trust has been awarded a Gold Award for the very first time – alongside a further 17 organisations across the East Midlands who have also achieved the accolade.
The Trust works to support patients and colleagues with connections to the Armed Forces, as well as their families and loved ones, in a number of ways, including establishing an Armed Forces Network which provides support and guidance for whatever colleagues may need support for.
David Williams, Digital Clinical Specialist for Physiotherapy and Lead of UHDB’s Armed Forces Network, said: “I am delighted and proud that we have obtained Gold Award accreditation. It is testament to our commitment to our moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families.
“As a network we will continue this work with renewed vigour to improve patient care for veterans, to support our colleagues and collaborate with wider defence and our community.”
In 2021, UHDB re-signed the Armed Forces covenant to reaffirm our commitment to the Armed Forces community and works to offer support to patients who are serving members and veterans of the Armed Forces through external organisations offering support and education. The Trust alsos full support to our reservists in order for them to have protected time to fulfil their duties.
Recap on when UHDB re-signed the Armed Forces covenant >
Chris Upton, Deputy Lead of the Armed Forces Network and Portering Supervisor at Queen’s Hospital Burton, said: “What an achievement for the Trust to have achieved gold status in just a year - this is absolutely astonishing! All the hard work from the network members has paid off and this is a fantastic opportunity for us to make a significant change to serving personnel and veterans alike.”
Dr Magnus Harrison, Interim Chief Executive, said: “We are extremely proud of our connections to the armed forces, so I am absolutely delighted that the amazing work of the Trust has been recognised in this way. We are committed to offering holistic support to our patients, colleagues and families with links to the armed forces and will continue to do everything we can to improve and grow this in order to maintain our Gold Award accreditation.”
To receive this award, organisations must meet specific criteria, including offering 10 extra paid days leave for reservists and have supportive HR policies in place for veterans, Reserves, and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, as well as spouses and partners of those serving in the Armed Forces. Organisations must also advocate the benefits of supporting those within the Armed Forces community by encouraging others to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and engage in the Employer Recognition Scheme.
Bruce Spencer, the Ministry of Defence’s Regional Employer Engagement Director for the East Midlands, said:
“We are absolutely thrilled that so many local companies have been recognised with this Gold Award. It has been a difficult couple of years for businesses, and despite that, these organisations have gone above and beyond to ensure our Armed Forces community is supported. They should be very proud of this significant achievement.”