UCLH signs Armed Forces Covenant

We are proud to announce that UCLH has signed the Armed Forces Covenant. We endeavour to ensure that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated with fairness and respect.

Signing the Armed Forces Covenant means that, as an employer and healthcare provider, UCLH is committed to ensuring that we treat those who serve, or have served, their country in the armed forces fairly, and that they are not disadvantaged because of their service.

As an employer, this means making sure we have policies and practices in place for recruiting and retaining staff that promote being armed forces-friendly and that we are open to employing reservists, armed forces veterans (including the wounded, injured and sick), cadet instructors and military spouses/partners.

It also means that we are committed to ensuring that the armed forces community is never disadvantaged compared to other patients, in line with the NHS’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant. We will work to improve the quality and accessibility of our services for patients who are members of the armed forces community, especially those who are most vulnerable, such as the wounded, injured and sick veterans, and increase awareness and understanding of the specific health and social needs of the armed forces community among our staff and partners.

This will involve training relevant staff on veteran-specific culture or needs and 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.

Dr Tim Hodgson, medical director for UCLH Specialist Hospitals Board, who officially signed the Armed Forces Covenant, said: “I was proud to sign on behalf of UCLH. It represents our commitment to a really important issue, and I look forward to everyone at UCLH doing their bit to make sure we are always fair and accommodating to those who serve, or have served, in the forces.”

UCLH chief executive David Probert said: “Signing the Armed Forces Covenant makes explicit our commitment to treating veterans, reservists and service families fairly and ensuring they we give them all the support and adjustment necessary, whether that’s as an employer or as a healthcare provider.”

We are also proud to announce that we have been awarded the Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze award. This means that we have committed to support the armed forces community and to value their contribution to our organisation. It also means that we are open to employing reservists, veterans, cadet instructors and military spouses/partners and that we promote being a forces-friendly employer. By doing so, we hope to benefit from the skills, experience, and qualities that the armed forces community can offer to our staff and patients. Find out more about the scheme.