Published on: 10th November 2017
Lincolnshire’s mental health and learning disability trust has received a special award by the Ministry of Defence, in recognition of their continuing support for members of the Armed Forces.
Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) has been awarded the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), Silver Award, for demonstrating the values of the prestigious Armed Forced Covenant.
The covenant was created to ensure that members of the Armed Forces community, both past and present, are treated with fairness and respect and receive the same access to services as any other citizen.
Silver awards are given to employers who demonstrate support for service personnel issues, and actively communicate and uphold a positive stance to their employees via established HR policies and procedures.
LPFT Chair Paul Devlin said being recognised as an organisation which supports forces personnel was something to be very proud of.
We must ensure we offer the right support at the right time for those in the Armed Forces community. We also recognise and welcome the valuable skills and experiences those from the Armed Forces can bring to our workforce. We were delighted in 2016 to receive the Bronze Award; and we are very proud to have now received the Silver. Our aim is to continue to work towards the Gold to further reinforce our commitment to forces personnel.
In addition to employing Armed Forces Reservists, LPFT also has a dedicated Veterans’ Mental Health Service, which offers specific care and treatment, and point of contact for forces personnel who may be experiencing mental health problems.
The Trust also has a designated inpatient facility for members of the Armed Forces, based at Pilgrim Hospital, in Boston.
LPFT’s Regional Veterans’ Lead Paula Jelly said:
The Jubilee Suite in the Department of Psychiatry provides a safe environment for serving personnel and offers a range of evidence-based treatments. We also work in partnership with local teams and third sector organisations which allows us to create crucial professional relationships with other support agencies and the MOD.
The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same. There are bronze, silver and gold awards for employer organisations that pledge and demonstrate support to defence and the armed forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.
