The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) has received the bronze award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), in recognition of the support in place at the hospital for the armed forces community.
The bronze award recognises organisations that have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and pledged to support those currently serving; as well as reservists, veterans, cadet instructors and military spouses/partners.
PAHT signed the Armed Forces Covenant in October 2022 and supports the armed forces community by:
- Ensuring no-one is disadvantaged in the provision of healthcare, for example if they are re-posted and are on a waiting list for treatment/procedures
- Giving appropriate support, especially to the injured or bereaved
- Signposting patients to veteran services run by charities and other organisations
- Establishing a network of veterans’ champions across all divisions of the hospital
- Setting up training for staff on the specific needs of veterans
- Removing barriers within our recruitment processes to support the recruitment of veterans/armed forces personnel into our organisation
Kelly French, head of operations across urgent and emergency care, whose brother is a veteran, has been at the forefront of PAHT’s ambition to better support the armed forces community. He said: “I know from personal experience how the needs of veterans may differ from other patients in our care; and through our growing network of veterans’ champions, and training for staff, we are already serving them better.
“We are delighted to achieve the bronze award under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, and are fully committed to maintaining this standard and improving our services and support even further.”
Stephanie Lawton, chief operating officer, who co-signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2022 said: “To receive this bronze award within a year of signing the Armed Forces Covenant is a great achievement and recognises our commitment to supporting defence personnel, those who serve or have served in the armed forces and their families. Thank you to all of our people who have undertaken to be veteran champions and to those who support our armed forces communities.”
For further information on support for the armed forces communities at PAHT visit www.pah.nhs.uk/veteransaware.