News

July 17th 2024

Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (DHCFT), Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust (DCHS) and the University of Derby showed the value they place on Defence personnel by sharing their positive experience to a packed audience of colleagues, partner organisations and Reservists.

All three organisations are holders of the Employer Recognition Scheme’s Gold Award.

A flag raising ceremony and networking also took place at the event, which was supported by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Mrs Elizabeth Fothergill CBE, and organised by the Trusts’ 60-strong Armed Forces Staff Network.

Executive support

Mark Powell, Chief Executive of DHCFT, said: “It’s really important to come together and say thank you to our Reservists, Veterans, Cadets as well as their families for their dedication to the Armed Forces and the Trust.

“At Derbyshire Healthcare, we support any colleagues who are already Reservists or who would like to become one and we would also encourage more Reservists to consider working for the Trust.

“Finally, I would just like to thank our Armed Forces community, our Armed Forces Champions and any colleagues who are involved for the support they give. Your commitment to the roles within the Armed Forces community and the Trust is hugely inspiring and I’m very grateful for your service.”

Senior leaders from Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Trust and the University of Derby echoed Mark’s message of thanks at the Army Reserve Centre – one of dozens of military sites available to book for corporate training or events across the East Midlands.

The value of service

Between the two NHS Trusts, they are aware of three Reservists, two CFAVs and dozens of Service Leavers and military family members in their workforce.

They understand the value of service, especially when it comes to transferrable leadership and communication skills. To encourage others to join their organisations or their existing staff to consider service, they have a number of supportive policies in place.

For example, both NHS Trusts have a guaranteed interview scheme for Armed Forces personnel who meet the essential criteria of a job vacancy. They also offer 15 days additional paid leave for Reservists and CFAVs.

That support was pivotal for the training and mobilisation readiness of Major Christine Duffy, Officer Commanding of Leicester’s 222 Medical Squadron.

“Having an employer that understands and supports can make a big difference to how a Reservist values their time in the Army and their time at work,” said the Advanced Clinical Practitioner, who is employed by Derbyshire Community Health Services.

“You want everything in the open and to feel that when you go away your line is supportive.”

Major Duffy has recently returned from being mobilised on a formal overseas operation, delivering advanced clinical care in an austere environment, and praised her employer’s mobilisation policy for ensuring she had a smooth transition back into work.

She likened it to the support given to parents after extended maternity or paternity leave, with support to bring her up to speed on workplace changes, ensure she could access all necessary systems, and catch up on mandatory training in her first month.

As she returned to her busy GP practise, she was also given extra time to complete tasks, so she could ease back into her usual day-to-day duties. “That really made a big difference,” she added.

Advocacy and awareness

The NHS Trusts and the University of Derby have demonstrated they are not only great supporters, but great advocates of Defence in recent times, with the Reserves Day event following a series of fruitful engagements.

Derbyshire Healthcare has shared best practise with Derbyshire Fire & Rescue and Derbyshire Police and joined the University of Derby at the East Midlands’ inaugural Regional Engagement with Defence Conference, also in June.

Fred Hopkins, Head of Engagement at East Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, said: “Our team works tirelessly to nurture mutually-beneficial relations between the military and employers through the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme and the Armed Forces Covenant.

“As Gold Award holders, Derbyshire Healthcare, Derbyshire Community Health Services and the University of Derby are exemplars for what good looks like, recognising the value our people add with supportive policies that help their Reservists feel prepared and supported.

“I cannot commend their ongoing work enough and encourage others to follow their lead. It starts by signing the Armed Forces Covenant and making a simple pledge: that Armed Forces personnel, and their families, should not be disadvantaged by their service.”

Discover more about the Armed Forces Covenant and how you can sign today.