Trust awarded Silver by Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded the Silver Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), recognising its commitment to supporting the armed forces community.
The achievement was confirmed by the Ministry of Defence on 16 June.
The scheme encompasses bronze, silver and gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.
To achieve the award, the Trust updated its policies to ensure reservists are able to take paid time off for training, and that they are given time if they get deployed. In addition, the Wellbeing Team has ensured the right support is available to members of staff in the armed forces community so that they can be fully supported.
The Trust supports the armed forces community with fair hiring practices and support available in the workplace. Work has also been done with members of the armed forces community to promote career paths within the NHS.
Sally Kilgariff, Chief Operating Officer and Executive lead for armed forces and veteran aware, said: “I am proud of this achievement. We recognise the importance of our armed forces, whether that be people who are actively serving, reservists or veterans, and we want to support them to get the healthcare they need, as well as supporting members of the armed forces community within our own workforce.”
The award builds on the work the Trust has done to support patients from the armed forces and veteran community, having become Veteran Aware accredited in August 2022.
The Silver Award is valid for five years, during which the Trust will continue its journey as a Veteran Aware organisation and as a forces-friendly employer, aiming to achieve the Gold Award.