NHS trust pledges to support military workers
HEALTHCARE STAFF who also offer their services to the Armed Forces will be supported, an NHS trust in Yorkshire has said today, as it launches a recruitment drive to bring more ex-servicemen and women into its ranks.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has launched a video, funded by the Royal Navy, in a bid to sign up people after their service who want to work in its hospitals.
The trust is also highlighting the qualities of its own staff who double up as reservists.
After pledging their support to the Armed Forces Covenant, a promise to treat those who serve or have served fairly, health chiefs in the city have now signed up to the Step into Health pledge.
Supporters of Step into Health offer help to people during their transition back into civilian life after leaving the Armed Forces.
Dean Royles, director of human resources at the trust, said: “Staff who are thinking of becoming reservists will be supported by the trust and we will help them to achieve this, and the video shows that the trust is committed to the Armed Forces.
“By becoming a reservist they will increase their skills set, which can then be applied to civilian life.
“We have a number of staff who are reservists and they bring a huge range of skills to the trust. They’re great team players, passionate and loyal about what they do.
he trust already has 21 members of staff who are also Army reservists. Mr Royles encouraged other trusts to “embrace reservists” and staff who want to become a reservist.
His words come as the trust launched a video to raise awareness about volunteering for the forces, featuring clips with staff in Leeds sharing their experiences with the Armed Forces alongside their careers in healthcare.
The video features clips with several members of staff working for the trust’s hospitals in Leeds, talking about how their experiences with the Armed Forces have had an impact on their career in healthcare.
Peter Wedgwood, a deputy production manager at the trust who also doubles up as a pharmacy technician for the Army, has backed the trust’s call and said he wanted to encourage others to consider following suit.
He said: “A lot of the skills that I’ve developed in the military I can bring to my current role in the NHS.
“I’m able to remain calm in certain pressurised situations and it allows me to use different styles of leadership when necessary with my staff and in other situations.”