Field Hospital set up in county
A Shropshire hospital has signalled its support for staff who serve in military roles – by signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant.
The covenant represents a pledge of support by the Oswestry-based Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic 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.
The covenant was signed yesterday when representatives from 202 (Midlands) Field Hospital visited the hospital and put up a demonstration 'Field Hospital' to showcase their work.
Chairman of the hospital trust, Frank Collins, said: “In recent months we have built strong relationships with colleagues in the Armed Forces and seen the benefits that we can achieve by working together.
“Last year we won an Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award from the Ministry of Defence in recognition of the work we have done to support Reservists, and signing the Covenant is a natural extension of that work.”
There are four Army Reserves at the hospital, Maggie Durrant, Service Improvement Facilitator; Rebecca Warren, Ward Manager of the Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries, Sharon Warren, a Healthcare Assistant on the same unit and Matt Wright, a Theatres Support Worker.
Maggie Durrant, who is a Lieutenant Colonel and Second in Command of 202 (Midlands) Field Hospital, said yesterday was interesting for both staff and visitors to the hospital.
"It was a fantastic opportunity for those who work in the NHS, plus patients and the public, to see at close quarters the high level of care that soldiers, wounded in combat or during exercises, receive.
“There was also information available about the many paid volunteer opportunities in the Army Reserves.”
