East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) has been recognized as an exemplar in providing the best standards of care and support to the Armed Forces community. At a ceremony at the Trust’s headquarters in Melbourn at the end of November, EEAST received the Veteran Aware accreditation by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Cambridgeshire, Mrs. Julie Spence OBE QPM.
EEAST had become the second ambulance service to be given this gold-standard accreditation from the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA) in April, but, due to COVID restrictions, the official handing-over ceremony had to be delayed.
Role of veterans
The Trust also holds the Gold award from the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, and is part of the wider NHS Step into Health network.
Tom Abell, Chief Executive of EEAST, said, “I’m really pleased to accept this award on behalf of the Trust. The role of veterans within the Trust is extremely important to us as an organization in providing fantastic care to the communities that we serve."
career opportunities
We want to make sure we are looking after veterans and supporting them to have long and fulfilling roles"
“This award represents a huge achievement for lots of people within the organization who have worked hard to improve the way we support veterans within the workplace at EEAST. Clearly moving forwards one of our key priorities is how we can build on this further to provide fantastic career opportunities for people coming out of the armed services."
“We want to make sure we are looking after veterans and supporting them to have long and fulfilling roles within the organization so we can continue great care to our patients and communities.”
welfare and development
Terry Hicks, Head of Operations in Norfolk and Waveney for EEAST and the Trust’s Armed Forces Champion said, “My role as Armed Forces Champion enables me to support the welfare and development of our veterans and reservists, their spouses and dependents."
“We have many veterans working across the Trust, not just in frontline roles, but in all areas, including in support services, fleet, Ambulance Operation Centres (AOC), and in back-office roles. It is important to know that we are an inclusive employer and for this award to be given to us is a great recognition of some of the work we have done and continue to do, to support all of our staffing.”