Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust signs Armed Forces Covenant

On Wednesday 20th November 2019 Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust signed the Armed Forces Covenant.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation to those who serve and says the Trust will do all it can to ensure members of the armed forces are treated fairly and not disadvantaged in their day to day lives. It includes offering injured servicemen and women and bereaved families extra support where appropriate.

The Covenant was signed by Trust Chief executive Neil Macdonald and Head of Royal Air Force Medical Services Air Commodore Maria Byford at an event held in the National Spinal Injuries Centre (NSIC), Stoke Mandeville.

The Trust also welcomed invited guests and Jonnie the therapy pony from HorseHeard, a charity working with horses to promote positive emotional health and resilience outcomes for children, young people and adults in need.

Patients and staff had the opportunity to interact with Jonnie for the afternoon and he made a special visit to see a patient on one of the wards who was unable to come down to the NSIC foyer.

Neil Macdonald said: ‘We are proud to sign this Covenant and show our commitment to providing safe and compassionate care to our armed forces. It is especially important to us as a Trust given the number of armed forces bases within the county and of families and local communities connected with them.‘

Regional Employer Engagement Director at Ministry of Defence, Kate Lole, said: ‘Signing the Armed Forces Covenant is a great way for businesses, organisations and charities of all sizes to publicly show their support to the Armed Forces Community. Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust has pledged to promote it is an Armed Forces Friendly organisation for patients and the employment of Reservists, Veterans and their families. We look forward to working closely with them.‘

*Source of article : Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.