NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) reaffirmed its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant at an awards ceremony held by the Armed Forces Network for Sussex and Kent and Medway.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a pledge from the nation to those who have served (and their immediate families) in the British Armed Forces, making sure they do not suffer disadvantages, as a result of their service.
Kent and Medway mental health services record all armed forces veterans who receive treatment, to monitor and enhance future provision. Our mental health service specification also states veterans must be seen in a timely manner and adhere to the Healthcare for the Armed Forces community: a forward view, the companion document to the NHS Long Term Plan.
Tom Beaumont, Project Manager in the Mental Health Commissioning Team, led on making sure all policies match across Kent and Medway for the Employer Recognition Scheme silver award accreditation. As an employer this means the CCG makes sure service personnel and members of the armed forces community are not unfairly disadvantaged as part of any recruiting and selection processes and given the support they need as employees.
The covenant was resigned by Lieutenant Colonel Tim Petransky, Commanding Officer of the 3rd Battalion of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment and witnessed by Tom, Kate Parkin, Director of the NHS Armed Forces Community and Herne Bay GP Dr Jeremy Carter, the network's clinical lead for Kent and Medway.
In recognition of Tom’s work for the network he was awarded a long service award at the event.
He said: “I was honoured to receive the award. I am very passionate about supporting the armed forces community, and I look forward to strengthening our relationship with the Kent and Medway Armed Forces Network."
The support and care Tom (pictured, centre) initiated in Medway, is now translating to the wider Kent and Medway health and care system. He engages with meetings, events and training delivered by the network and supports and encourages others to take the armed forces community into account when commissioning services.
Mike Gilbert, Executive Director of Corporate Affairs and a RAF veteran said: “I want to thank Tom for all of the hard work and effort he continues to put in to the armed forces network. This award is well deserved and many congratulations.”
“We are working with the network to continue to support our armed forces community and achieve gold standard accreditation.”
Read more about the Sussex and Kent and Medway Armed Forces Network.
Read more about the Armed Forces Covenant and what it means.
Healthcare for the Armed Forces community: A forward view is a companion document to the NHS Long Term Plan, outlining the commitments NHS England and NHS Improvement is making to improve the health and wellbeing of the Armed Forces community, serving personnel (regulars and reservists), veterans and their families.
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