Equality, diversity and inclusion
Staff Networks - Armed Forces Support Group
Welcome
We provide support and comradeship to staff that are armed forces veterans, members of the reserve forces, immediate family members of the armed forces community or have an interest in supporting our armed forces.
If you are a veteran or reservist, please take part in this short survey to let us know that you are a member of our armed forces community. This can be done anonymously, with the option to leave your email address to find out more about our Armed Forces Support Group.
We're here for you
We help raise awareness of the armed forces community within the trust, by assisting with the organisations of events such as the remembrance services and the promotion and implementation of the Armed Forces Covenant within UHD.
We are working with HR, Dorset ICB and other NHS providers to encourage the positive recruitment of veterans into the NHS through the Step Into Health Programme. We are able to provide advice on the benefits of working for UHD and the types of roles and training suitable for veterans.
We work with the reserve forces to actively recruit members from UHD into the reserve forces from all departments, both clinical and non-clinical. This partnership brings huge benefits to the trust in terms of the valuable experience staff gain from attachments to the regular forces and the training provided by the armed forces from basic induction, specialisation and leadership training.
Resources
10 things to know about veterans and their families
Improving care for veterans in musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapy
UHD's Armed Forces Community Advocate, Rob Hornby
Having left the Army after a 32 year career, I am now an Armed Forces Veteran, the very cohort that I am here to assist.
For the last 11 years of my service I was employed as a Personnel Recovery Officer (PRO) at the Personnel Recovery Unit (PRU) in Catterick North Yorkshire. I was responsible for looking after up to 20 Sick and Wounded Soldiers (WIS) at any one time at their homes in the north east of England. It was a role I enjoyed immensely as well as being a very rewarding one.
I worked with local authorities, regimental associations and armed forces charities implementing adaptions to physically wounded soldier’s houses which enabled them to live independent lives. I also assisted with the transition of care from the Defence Medical Service to the NHS for the WIS that required any ongoing medical treatment.
I was responsible for guiding the WIS through their resettlement pathway - this included identifying any re-training required and requesting funding from the armed forces charities to assist them on their chosen resettlement plan. I assisted them in applying to the Armed Forces Compensation scheme for a possible financial package that they may have been entitled to, with the support of Veterans UK.
The experience and knowledge that I have gained from doing the role of a PRO will enable me to continue to build on the hard work that has been done already within the Trust. The Trust wants to improve clinical outcomes for veterans and to support the wider Armed Forces Community.
We need to talk about Veterans!
Have you ever been concerned about certain characteristics with a patient, or is your patient acting somewhat differently to what you would expect? Are they somewhat reluctant to give details of the history of the complaint they are seeing you for? Have you considered asking them if they are serving military personnel, or a veteran?
The Armed Forces community comprises of current serving personnel, military veterans and their families. Reservists are also considered serving personnel when mobilised or training and veterans when not carrying out military duties. Whilst many aspects of health needs are the same as other patients in our community there are sometimes significant differences, particularly conditions attributable to life in the services and the overall impact of military life upon the family.
This eLearning course is designed to highlight both similarities and differences enabling healthcare professionals to understand both the context of military life and how to respond appropriately to a military or veteran patient needs. It will take approximately 2 hours to complete, but you are not required to complete the course all in one go.
To access the learning, click this link: https://moodleext.chester.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=133 then create an account when prompted (using your UHD details). Once you have created an account, you will need to use the following course code to access the course: WCV2022.
Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold
University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) has been awarded gold by the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme for its commitment to honouring and supporting the armed forces community.
The gold award is given to organisations that demonstrate that service personnel and the armed forces community are not unfairly disadvantaged during recruitment or in their career.
It also highlights UHD’s commitment to understanding the needs of reservists and ensuring they do not lose out financially or professionally due to reservist training or being called up.
Peter Wilson, chief medical officer, added: “We will continue to work hard to ensure that service personnel and the armed forces community feel they are welcome and are not unfairly disadvantaged throughout their time working across our hospitals.
“The award highlights the work we continue to do to acknowledge the contribution of the armed forces community.
“For example, we have recently created a UHD reservist policy to ensure they are given the time to undertake training and service, which we recognise enables them to develop skills and abilities that directly benefit both the individual and the trust.”
Veteran Aware
On Thursday 24 March 2022, UHD celebrated being named as a Veteran Aware Trust in recognition of its commitment to improving NHS care for veterans, reservists, members of the armed forces and their families. The presentation was made by John Young MC, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Dorset.
The accreditation, from the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA), acknowledges the trust’s commitment to a number of key pledges, including:
- Ensuring that the armed forces community is never disadvantaged compared to other patients, in line with the UHD’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.
- Training relevant staff on veteran specific culture or needs.
- Making veterans, reservists and service families aware of appropriate charities or NHS services beneficial to them, such as mental health services or support with financial and/or benefit claims.
- Supporting the armed forces as an employer.
Read more here.
Armed Forces Covenant
On 6 July 2021, UHD signed the Armed Forces Covenant on behalf of UHD. This was an important step for the newly merged Trust.
Veterans Covenant Health Alliance (VCHA)
UHD have now received accreditation as a Veteran Aware Hospital (Trust). There is a publicity campaign and public launch being planned for March 2022. Being Veteran Aware is the starting point for improving our services to the armed forces community. Awareness training will be developed for staff across the Trust. This will be led by the Armed Forces Community Advocate.
Reserve Forces Recruitment Events
243 (Wessex) Field Hospital have been renamed and re-rolled and are now 243 (Wessex) Multi Role Medical Regiment, they held recruiting events in RBH and Poole hospital during 2023 and more are planned for 2024. These events have been well attended and a number of members of staff have shown an interest in part time careers with the reserve forces. If you would like more information either call the recruiting team on 07973 736073 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Armed Forces Week 24 - 29 June 2024
Planning for Armed Forces day in June will commence very soon. Have you an idea how UHD can celebrate Armed Forces Day? If so email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Support
The Russian invasion of Ukraine which is threatening peace in Europe is very worrying for European citizens, including the population of the UK. It may directly or indirectly affect our members of staff who are members of the reserve forces who may be wondering whether they might be called up to assist either in a humanitarian or security role. The Russian invasion may also have an effect on our veteran community, both staff and patients who formed part of the defence in Europe during the Cold War. The takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban in 2021 did have effect on some veterans who served there and their families.
If you need help or support contact the following organisations;
Veterans Gateway
Veterans Gateway – information advice and support for veterans and their families. The veterans gateway put veterans and their families in touch with the organisations best placed to help with the advice and support they need. Tel: 0808 802 1212 Veteransgateway.org.uk
Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust,
Armed Forces Community Health and Welfare Team (Dorset): Tel: 01202 584428
Get involved
We'd love to hear from you if you'd like to get involved, find out more or help organise an event.
Support for children
Even without a direct personal connection to the conflict, it's natural that seeing all the footage coming out of Ukraine, whether on the news or on social media, can be distressing. It's important to recognise this, even if we are committed to paying attention, showing solidarity, or seeking to help the victims. Children especially, may be seeing imagery that they do not understand and asking you questions that can be difficult to answer.
If you need any support please look at the following pages:
Contact
Our current lead for the network is Rob Hornby. Contact details are: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Our networks
Armed Forces Support Group Diverse Ethnicity Network European Network International Doctors’ Initiative Pro Ability Network UHD Pride Network The Women's Network
