DHU Healthcare is looking to increase its support for Armed Forces Reservists, veterans, colleagues with partners in the Armed Forces, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and Armed Forces charities.
As a not-for-profit, community interest company providing NHS services including 111 in the Midlands, GP out of hours, community and urgent care services, DHU Healthcare recently signed the Armed Forces Covenant and achieved the Bronze Award. Looking to do more to cement its support of those who have and are currently serving, DHU is now working towards the Silver Award and wants to involve colleagues in shaping its approach.
Zahra Leggatt is DHU Healthcare’s Director of People and Organisational Development, she said: “The Covenant recognises the value and contribution of serving personnel, past and present, and the support we provide for Reservists to keep up their training and when they’re called up. We have featured a number of articles about colleagues who have previously served and how the skills they developed whilst working for the armed forces transfer well to what we do at DHU.
Help and support
“But we want to expand on that. For example, Reservists need a minimum of 21 days training, so we are looking at including a section in our Annual Leave Policy to allow an additional five days paid leave (and an additional five days unpaid leave) to help fulfil that. We also want to support them at times of mobilisation, including their return to work as duties can last up to six months.
“We know that the Ministry of Defence will help support us to retrain, but we want to do all we can to help them with their transition back to working for DHU. I would liken the process to being on long term sick where we would help our colleagues to get back up to speed and prepare them for coming back to the workplace, making reasonable adjustments and being flexible.
“We want to speak to our Veterans, Reservists, spouses or partners of current serving personnel and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers to find out what kind of support they need. For example, if a colleague’s partner is called up for service, they may need help with flexible working times to look after children or dependents. They may need emotional support, particularly if their partner is away for extended periods or injured, we also look to support new starters who are joining us straight from the armed forces who may need help adjusting to a different way of life.
Emotional and cultural change
“There is also the recruitment side and how we come across to a person currently serving in the Armed Forces who wants to thrive in the next chapter of their employed life. By showing that we are not only aware that there is an emotional and cultural change involved in making that switch, but that we have it embedded into our culture and written into our policies, that is a strong message to send.
“We’re looking into how we might be able to introduce community support, involving the Cadet Force Adult Volunteers. With the specialisms we have within our diverse teams here at DHU that can range from Mental Health first aid to CV writing and interview workshops, there is a lot we can do to support them. We want to forge closer links with our local groups to make that happen so we’re exploring what opportunities are out there and how we might be able to link in and help.
“Then there’s the charity aspect. As a Community Interest Company, we are passionate about supporting local projects and charities and that includes recognised Armed Forces charities. We commit to supporting one as a chosen partner charity each year and commit to match fund whatever our colleagues raise for any approved Armed Forces charity up to £1,000. We’re proud to be able to make that commitment and hope that it will be a boost to those families and colleagues who have a very personal and sometimes life-changing reason for choosing such a cause.
“So, we have work to do and I would very much like colleagues who have served, are current reservists or have a partner or spouse to contact us so that we can channel their input into the support we can provide. I’m excited and proud to be part of an organisation that is working so closely with the Armed Forces to hold their colleagues, and former colleagues now working with us, in such high esteem. I’m looking forward to seeing this partnership and our commitment to it grow and flourish.”
You can read some of the stories we have told about our armed forces colleagues and how we look to support them in the work they do by follwoing these links below...
Signing the Armed Forces Covenant - Click Here
Jillian Clemas, our Clinical Governance Lead who joined us directly from the RAF - Click Here
Rachel Hodgett, Paramedica at Loughborough Urgent Treatment Centre who spent nine years in the RAF - Click Here
Connor Crabb - NHS111 Training and Development Manager in Derby who spent six years in the Army - Click Here
Carl Keeble - Clinical Practitioner Paramedic who spent twelve years with the Royal Naval Medical Services - Click Here
Picuted above, left to right are...
Kirsty Lawrence, Deputy Regional Employer Engagement Director, Reserve Forces and Cadets (RFCA)
Joanne Finney, Head of Clinical Audit and Quality Improvement, DHU Healthcare
Captain Oliver Lewis, Adjutant at 162 Regiment RLC
Stephen Bateman, Chief Executive, DHU Healthcare
Tony Armstrong, Widening Scope Projects Lead, Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance
Jillian Clemas, Clinical Governance Lead, DHU Healthcare