A NORTHFIELD hospital has signed the Armed Forces Covenant after being formally awarded for their support of the veterans community.
The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH) was awarded the Bronze Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme for providing the best standards of care and support to the armed forces community.
Organisations achieve the ERS accreditation upon signing the covenant.
Natalie Green, a veteran and registrar at ROH said: “As a previous General Duties Medical Officer working in the Royal Navy, I know how vital the medical support back home is to us, particularly when deployed at sea.
“Having access to senior specialist advice and the ability to get patients seen and sorted quickly, so they can be returned back to us on operations is key. Having the Trust recognise this and support not just serving personnel, but veterans as well, means that they will be able to offer a more bespoke service which understands our needs, which are often different due to current or previous military experiences.
“Likewise, for those staff members who are serving with the reserved armed forces it will allow better balance and liaison between their medical day jobs and any operational commitments that arise.”
Lieutenant Colonel Charles Whitting signed the covenant with Jo Williams, Chief Executive at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.
He said: “It was a real privilege to co-sign the Armed Forces Covenant with the ROH and it was fantastic to hear that the great team have just been awarded the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, Bronze Award.
“The relationship between the NHS and the Armed Forces is a special one, which brings people with lifesaving skills together, to protect and support people around the world.
“By committing to the Armed Forces Covenant the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital are nurturing this special relationship in many ways, in particular by highlighting the vital role that NHS staff who are part of Service families make on a daily basis.”
