Published on: 30 September 2024
Both Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Derbyshire Community Healthcare Services NHS Foundation Trust are in the running for a national award in recognition of their employees’ success in raising awareness of the needs of the Armed Forces community. 
The two NHS Trusts run a joint Armed Forces staff network which works to break down the barriers for people who have served in the Armed Forces in accessing health services and working for the NHS. As a result, the two Trusts have been shortlisted for a Step into Health Award in the category for ‘Forces-Friendly Employer Award’. This award recognises an NHS organisation that has excelled in creating a supportive environment for NHS employees from the Armed Forces community.
Step into Health is a long-standing national programme that provides support and guidance for NHS organisations to review and enhance recruitment practices, so they are able to attract members of the Armed Forces community, benefit from the transferable skills and values they bring to the workforce and showcase the NHS as the employer of choice.
The joint network’s approach in collaborating across two Trusts means that the network now boasts a membership of almost 60 people across Derbyshire, 30% of which are veterans. There are also four reservists, two cadet leaders, colleagues who have family members serving in the Armed Forces, and wider allies.
Mark Powell, Chief Executive at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, was pleased to hear the news about the network gaining national recognition for their efforts. He said: “We are proud that the Armed Forces community is firmly embedded within our Trust’s equality, diversity and inclusion agenda, and it is extremely rewarding to hear that the community feel so well supported.
“We are delighted to be shortlisted in these awards. A big thank you to our fantastic Armed Forces Staff Network for all their hard work in making the network and its key messages well known not just locally but on a national scale too. This recognition comes shortly after being named a finalist at the HSJ Awards for supporting the Armed Forces community both at Derbyshire Healthcare and DCHS.”
Justine Fitzjohn, Director of Corporate Affairs and Trust Secretary of Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is the executive sponsor for the network. She said: “We are thrilled to hear that the exceptional contributions of our Armed Forces Network have been recognised in this way.
“A large number of NHS colleagues have an association with the Armed Forces and appreciate how important it is to support this community by providing opportunities and a wide range of support. This support would not be what it is without the dedication and enthusiasm of our joint chairs so thank you to them for their efforts.”
The award winners, as well as those who are highly commended, will be announced during an awards ceremony in London on Thursday 3 October 2024.
