Leaders at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH) have signalled their continued support for staff and patients who serve in military roles – by re-signing the Armed Forces Covenant.
The Covenant represents a pledge of support by the Oswestry-based hospital to people who are serving in, or who have served in the Armed Forces. It also sets out how the Trust will demonstrate its commitment, including promoting its armed-forces-friendly status and seeking to support the employment of veterans, young and old.
RJAH first became a signatory of the Covenant in 2017, and went on to win an Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award from the Ministry of Defence in 2018 in acknowledgement of their work to support the Armed Forces.
Having accomplished a lot since first signing up to the Covenant – including opening the UK’s first dedicated Veterans’ Orthopaedic Centre – the hospital has now refreshed its pledges and has re-signed the Covenant to underline that commitment.
The new pledges include a commitment to be an exemplar of the best care for veterans and their families. The Trust also says it will ensure it has a clear and supporting transition process in place to enable veterans and other Armed Forces personnel to work within the organisation at a level commensurate with their training and experience.
Stacey Keegan, Chief Executive of RJAH, signed the Covenant along with Lt Col Carl Meyer, who is also the Clinical Lead of the Veterans’ Orthopaedic Centre. Fittingly, the event took place within the Centre, in front of its impressive wall of military plaques.
Stacey said: “Over the last few years, we have built strong relationships with colleagues in the Armed Forces and seen the benefits that we can achieve by working together.
“Our new pledges will reinvigorate our work and ensure that we build on the positive steps we have already taken. I was delighted to get the opportunity to re-sign the Covenant alongside Lt Col Meyer, who has done such fantastic work and been an incredible champion for the Armed Forces and veteran community.”
The event was also attended by Phil Sinclair from Defence Relationship Management; which engages with employers and organisations to encourage them to become signatories to the Covenant.
He said: “RJAH signed the Covenant back in 2017 and have held the Gold Award for almost six years now. That makes them advocates for the Armed Forces Covenant on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, spreading the word to other organisations.
“The Trust has been a strong partner and I am delighted that they have renewed their pledges and re-signed the Covenant once again.”
Pictured : Stacey Keegan, Chief Executive of RJAH; and Lt Col Carl Meyer, who is Clinical Lead of the hospital’s Headley Court Veterans’ Orthopaedic Centre, sign the Armed Forces Covenant.
