East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) has been awarded a coveted gold award in recognition of the support it offers to people serving in the armed forces, veterans and their families.
The award, which is the highest badge of honour an employer can receive, has been presented to the Trust as part of the Government’s Defence Employer Recognition Scheme 2023.
To achieve the accolade, ESNEFT needed to demonstrate it has put a range of measures in place to support service men and women, veterans and families.
This includes offering 10 extra paid days of annual leave for reservists and making sure its policies are supportive of reservists, veterans, Cadet Force adult volunteers and the partners of people who are currently serving.
In addition, ESNEFT runs an active Armed Forces Network, which gives members the chance to influence positive change and further improve services, offers clinical placements to serving personnel and runs a buddy system to support veterans who are joining the Trust.
Rebecca Driver, Director of Communications and Engagement at ESNEFT, said: “This is absolutely fantastic news. I’m so proud of all the hard work that has gone into gaining this award.
“Our armed forces are an extremely valuable part of our community and we know that their skills and experience can bring huge benefits to the NHS.
“We are committed to continue to advocate for them now and in the future.”
ESNEFT signed the Armed Forces Covenant at Colchester Hospital in 2016 and re-signed in 2021 after merging with Ipswich Hospital.
In 2018, the Trust was among the first in the country to be awarded ‘Veteran Aware’ status for providing specially tailored services to the armed forces community.
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