Lincolnshire NHS Trust signs Armed Forces Covenant on Reserves Day
Posted on: 28th June 2018
Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) signed the Armed Forces Covenant yesterday (June 27) to pledge its support to the Armed Forces community.
Organised to coincide with Reserves Day, the signing took place at the trust’s headquarters in Waterside South, Lincoln, and saw Chair Elaine Baylis QPM sign the Covenant alongside Lieutenant Colonel Mary Read, Commanding Officer of 254 Medical Regiment, representing the Ministry of Defence (MOD).
LCHS recognises the value of serving personnel, both regular and reserve, veterans and Cadet Force adult volunteers, understanding the skills they learn through their volunteering can be transferred back in to the civilian work place.
Mrs Baylis explained: “As both an employer and as an organisation which plays an active role in delivering healthcare to military families across the whole county, we are very proud to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant.
“We hope that by doing so, we are able to continue to strengthen our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community and make a positive contribution to Lincolnshire’s rich military heritage.”
The trust has recently been awarded a Bronze Employer Recognition Scheme Award for supporting those who serve as part of the Armed Forces community.
Armed Forces Champions are also working to raise awareness of the organisation’s work with the military and how they support those who give up their free-time to serve our country.
Catherine Suckling, the Ministry of Defence’s Assistant Regional Engagement Director in the East Midlands helped to organise the signing. She said: “I am delighted that LCHS has signed the Armed Forces Covenant on Reserves Day. Reservists give up their spare time to serve in the Reserve Forces, balancing their civilian life with a military career.
“Reservists, and former regular military personnel, have a lot of transferable skills they can bring into the NHS and it is fantastic that LCHS understands this learning could be beneficial in their organisation.”
To find out more about the Armed Forces Covenant visit www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk.
Search for the Ministry of Defence’s ‘Employer Recognition Scheme’ online to learn more about achieving Bronze, Silver or Gold Awards.