East Cheshire NHS Trust achieves silver award for work with veterans

East Cheshire NHS Trust has achieved a silver award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) in recognition of its commitment to the care and wellbeing of armed forces veterans.

The Employer Recognition Scheme encompasses bronze, silver and gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to Defence and the Armed Forces’ community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.

This latest accolade for veterans is one of a number for the Trust, having already signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2021 and achieving Veteran Aware Accreditation in 2023.

Deputy Director of Governance and ex member of the armed forces, Peter Ledwith said:

"We are delighted to have been awarded the Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award 2024.

“This accolade is a testament to our unwavering commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community as both a service provider and an employer and builds upon our Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA) accreditation in 2023.”

Colonel Mark Underhill OBE DL, Chief Executive at the North West of England and the Isle of Man Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (NW RFCA), said:

“On behalf of the Ministry of Defence we are honoured and delighted to be able to recognise the outstanding support and commitment given to the Armed Forces Covenant by businesses and organisations in the region, through the Employer Recognition Scheme awards.

“Each recipient has demonstrated not only that their support to the Covenant and the wider Armed Forces community, but also that they are prepared to support their Reservists, Service Leavers, Spouses, Veterans, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and Cadets in the workplace.”

For more information about East Cheshire NHS Trust’s commitment to the armed forces community:

click here.

East Cheshire NHS Trust is the main provider of acute and community health services for people across East Cheshire.

The Trust is based at Macclesfield District General Hospital, and also manages Congleton War Memorial Hospital and Knutsford and District Community Hospital.

Follow East Cheshire NHS Trust on Twitter for all the latest news:

@EastCheshireNHS

East Cheshire NHS Charity goes above and beyond standard Government funding to make your local NHS that extra special. From supporting staff health and wellbeing to providing toys to brighten up our young patients’ days to making long stay patients feel more at home – our mission is to make a visible difference. 

You can make a donation to the charity on JustGiving here.