Armed forces honour for NHS Highland over veteran employees
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Work by NHS Highland to support the armed forces and veteran community has been honoured.
The health board is among almost 200 organisations awarded the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award for 2023.
The scheme recognises employers for their commitment to supporting employees who are part of the armed forces and veterans community, as well as encouraging service leavers, veterans and their families to gain employment as they transition into civilian life.
The award is regarded as "the highest badge of honour" given by the Ministry of Defence to organisations showing "outstanding support" for members of the forces and veterans.
Bob Summers, head of occupational health and safety for NHS Highland, is a veteran and reservist. He joined NHS Highland in 2008 after completing his full 25 year service in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He said: “NHS Highland is a great employer in terms of supporting reservists.
"They support reservists to attend their two-week mandatory Annual Continuous Training commitment, recognising the value and skills veterans and reservists can bring to our workforce, such as specialist skills, teamwork, planning and leadership.”
The award said that NHS Highland has implemented employee-friendly HR policies that are used to support service families when a loved one is deployed, or a reservist with their military training commitments. They have also developed and delivered targeted armed forces training packages for trainee GPs, occupational therapists, and mental health staff.
Jo McBain, allied health professionals director and armed forces champion for NHS Highland, said: “It’s such an honour and a privilege that our support for the armed forces community has been recognised with a gold award. NHS Highland is proud to support those who serve.”
An award ceremony will be held in Perth this November to present the 200 winning organisations with their Gold Awards.
