Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust signs agreement to support armed forces staff

Colonel Philip Harrison, Phil Broad, Michael McCourt, Paul Barreto, Natasha Morris, Joanne Williamson

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust has signed the Armed Forces Covenant to promise it will fairly support any employees who serve or have served their country in the armed forces.

Michael McCourt, Chief Executive of Pennine Care, signed the covenant on behalf of the Trust to ensure employees of the Trust who are serving personnel, reservists or veterans receive the correct support and recognition for the value they bring to the organisation.

This will include supporting the employment of veterans, by working with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP), and assisting those who wish to join the reserve forces by accommodating their training and deployment.

Pennine Care, which employs more than 6,000 staff across Bury, Oldham, the Rochdale Borough, Stockport, Tameside and Glossop, and Trafford, will also support spouses and partners of those who serve by offering flexibility of leave before and after their partner’s deployment.

Mr McCourt said: “We are delighted to sign the covenant to show our continued commitment to supporting staff in the armed forces, veterans and their families in any way we can.”

The covenant was signed in the presence of Colonel Philip Harrison, Deputy Commander 42nd Infantry Brigade, and four reservists currently employed by Pennine Care; Joanne Williamson, Natasha Morris, Paul Barreto and Phil Broad.

Phil Broad, Infection Control Lead and Army Reservist for 25 years, said: “The covenant is a promise by Pennine Care to ensure present and past serving members of the armed services and their families are treated fairly. Through its services, policy and projects, the Trust can demonstrate support for the armed forces community and promote public understanding and awareness.”

Colonel Philip Harrison, Deputy Commander 42nd Infantry Brigade, said: “The reserves’ medical services component is helped by skills learnt from working in the NHS. Reservists also taking new skills back to their workplace, which makes signing covenants like this very worthwhile.”

Pennine care is also the provider of the Military Veterans Service, which delivers specialist mental health support for ex-service personnel across Greater Manchester.

Military veterans can self-refer to the service for mental health support by either using the online form at www.penninecare.nhs.uk/military-veterans or calling 0300 323 0707 to speak to a member of staff.