Local NHS salutes military colleagues for Armed Forces Day

The NHS in Swindon and Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset, is using this year’s Armed Forces Day to thank local military colleagues now working in the health service for their enormous contribution, as well as continued dedication, to public life.

Many armed forces personnel, such as those who have served in the Royal Navy, the British Army and the Royal Air Force, often bring their unique skills and dedication to the NHS after fulfilling a career in the military.

With the local area home to the highest proportion of military families in the country, the region’s NHS is proud to have a number of former armed forces colleagues, along with many active reservists, among its current workforce.

Richard Collinge, Chief of Staff, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, previously served as Regimental Colonel of the Royal Artillery. He said: “The Army’s values are very similar to those of the NHS, with its notion of service being a thread that also runs deep through the heart of the health service.

“The Sandhurst motto of ‘serve to lead’ is one that I and many other former armed forces colleagues still adhere to, and I’m incredibly proud to have continued my career in another equally rewarding role which also has public service at its core.”

At the end of last year, the ICB’s commitment to its local military population was recognised by the Ministry of Defence with a silver Employment Recognition Scheme award. The accolade is given to organisations that formally sign the Armed Forces Covenant, which is a promise to treat military colleagues and their families with fairness and respect, and implement workplace adjustments wherever possible.

Speaking at the time, Sue Harriman, Chief Executive Officer, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “As a Royal Navy veteran, I know this cohort are proven to be reliable, resilient, resourceful and committed members of our team.

“The Armed Forces community brings a unique and highly valuable set of transferable skills to the NHS. “They demonstrate key values including compassion and willingness to serve others, which makes them a huge asset to us as we commission services in the area to improve health and enrich lives of the public.”

Ahead of Armed Forces Day, which this year takes place on Saturday 28 June, the ICB is encouraging all local veterans to inform their GP of their years of service. The Say You Served campaign helps clinicians to know which of their patients has a background in the military, enabling them to highlight, where necessary, the support initiatives in place on the NHS for the armed forces community.

One such initiative is Op Courage, which is a dedicated NHS mental health support service that is designed to help veterans facing mental health challenges following their return to civvy street. Further details of Op Courage, as well as the many other initiatives available on the NHS, can be found online at www.bsw.icb.nhs.uk/supporting-the-uk-armed-forces.