WEDNESDAY, 2 AUGUST, 2023

Immediate release: Photograph attached - NHS Tayside Chair Lorna Birse-Stewart and NHS Tayside Executive Armed Forces Champion Susan Paterson

NHS Tayside awarded gold in Defence Employer Recognition Scheme

NHS Tayside has been awarded the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award, which recognises the long-term support employers have given to the Armed Forces community.

The Defence ERS, run by The Ministry of Defence, encourages employers to support those in the defence services. Organisations can achieve bronze, silver and gold awards for pledging, demonstrating or advocating support to the Armed Forces community and aligning their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.

NHS Tayside is an Armed Forces friendly employer and works hard to support the Armed Forces community across Tayside.

An Armed Forces Strategic Oversight Group has been established in NHS Tayside to discuss and take forward matters relating to the support of the Armed Forces.

More than 60 staff members have joined the NHS Tayside Armed Forces Employee Network, which aims to provide a space for colleagues to come together to provide support and essential feedback, as well as identifying ways to further support colleagues and patients connected to the Armed Forces.

Brew and Banter events are also held regularly across NHS Tayside sites to encourage staff in the Armed Forces family to socialise and connect with each other.

NHS Tayside Chair, Lorna Birse-Stewart said, “It is wonderful news that NHS Tayside has achieved gold status in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. This award demonstrates NHS Tayside’s commitment to being a forces friendly employer and supporting our serving and veteran community and their families.

“We are proud to support those in the Armed Forces community and will continue to look at ways we can do this across our services. I’d like to thank everyone who has helped NHS Tayside achieve this award.”

NHS Tayside’s Medical Director and Executive Lead for Armed Forces, Dr Pamela Johnston said, “I am very proud of the work we have done to support staff, patients and their families who have served or continue to serve in the Armed Forces.

“As an Armed Forces Friendly employer, we have several staff with connections to the Armed Forces who work within NHS Tayside, bringing their many transferable skills to their NHS roles. We are honoured to receive the Gold Award and we will continue our work to be a forces friendly organisation to deliver the best possible outcomes for the Armed Forces community.”

NHS Tayside Executive Armed Forces Champion Susan Paterson said, “I am thrilled that NHS Tayside has achieved the Gold Award under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

“I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the achievement of this award including the members of the Armed Forces Strategic Oversight Group, our military partners and most importantly the NHS Tayside Armed Forces Employee Network.

“We remain committed to ensuring that we recognise the unique contribution of our forces families and serving and veteran employees, as we strive to deliver the best quality services for our patients.”

Contact:

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138