Military colleagues saluted on Armed Forces Day

The local NHS used this year’s Armed Forces Day to thank military colleagues now working in the health service for their enormous contribution and 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.

And with BSW 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 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.

Local veterans have also been encouraged recently 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.

Further details can be found online at www.bsw.icb.nhs.uk/supporting-the-uk-armed-forces.