East Cheshire NHS Trust has achieved a silver award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) in recognition of its commitment to the care and wellbeing of armed forces veterans.

The Employer Recognition Scheme encompasses bronze, silver and gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to Defence and the Armed Forces' community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.

This latest accolade for veterans is one of a number for the Trust, having already signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2021 and recently achieving Veteran Aware Accreditation (as reported earlier this year by Macclesfield Nub News).

Matt Lynch and Peter Ledwith.

Deputy Director of Governance and ex member of the armed forces, Peter Ledwith said: "We are delighted to have been awarded the Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award 2024.

"This accolade is a testament to our unwavering commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community as both a service provider and an employer and builds upon our Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA) accreditation in 2023."

Colonel Mark Underhill OBE DL, Chief Executive at the North West of England and the Isle of Man Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Association (NW RFCA), said: "On behalf of the Ministry of Defence we are honoured and delighted to be able to recognise the outstanding support and commitment given to the Armed Forces Covenant by businesses and organisations in the region, through the Employer Recognition Scheme awards.

Pictured with the veteran aware plaque at Macclesfield Hospital are (from left to right) Dawn Moss (Critical Care Matron), Matt Lynch (Associate Specialist in Emergency Medicine), Peter Ledwith (Deputy Director of Governance) and Ged Murphy (Chief Executive).

"Each recipient has demonstrated not only that their support to the Covenant and the wider Armed Forces community, but also that they are prepared to support their Reservists, Service Leavers, Spouses, Veterans, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and Cadets in the workplace."

For more information about East Cheshire NHS Trust's commitment to the armed forces community, please click here.