Northern Care Alliance pledges to support armed forces and treat veterans fairly

Sir David Dalton, chief executive of the Northern Care Alliance signing the covenant

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Group has signed an Armed Forces Covenant promising that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly by the organisation.

Sir David Dalton, Chief Executive of the Northern Care Alliance signed the covenant on Friday 19 October. Counter signatories were Major Raymond Jolly from 207 Field Hospital Royal Army Medical Corps and his colleague Geoff Nuzum, who is the Armed Forces Regional Employer Engagement Director.

Allan Cordwell, Group Head of Emergency Planning Resilience & Response Unit for the Northern Care Alliance also signed the covenant. Allan is also the Group’s Reserve Forces Champion and Military Liaison. Allan himself is a veteran, having served with 202 and 207 Field Hospitals in Iraq in 2003; he has firsthand experience of the difficulties and hurdles veterans and retirees from Her Majesty’s Forces can endure.

Sir David Dalton, Chief Executive of the Northern Care Alliance, which oversees Salford Royal and Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trusts under a group arrangement, said:

“Today is an important day for the Northern Care Alliance and I am happy to put my name to the Armed Forces Covenant, which shows our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community. By signing this document we are officially saying that we recognise the contributions that serving personnel in the regular and reservist Armed Forces, veterans and their families, all make to our businesses and country. We also promise to treat them fairly in our organisation, including the injured and bereaved, so that they do not face any disadvantage.”

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Group brings together five hospitals, specialist and acute services, a range of associated community services, and over 17,000 staff across Salford Royal and the Pennine Acute Trusts.

By signing the Armed Forces Covenant the Northern Care Alliance pledges to promote that it is an Armed Forces friendly organisation and that it will support the employment of veterans young and old, at its hospitals in Salford, Oldham, Bury, Rochdale, North Manchester and across its community services.

The organisation will also support the family, partners and spouses of those serving in the Armed Forces.

Geoff Nuzum, Armed Forces Regional Employer Engagement Director, said: “Our armed forces are amongst the best in the world and those who serve in them have many transferrable skills, which fit well with the demands of the NHS. Armed forces veterans are highly trained individuals who are natural leaders, exceptional team workers with a high degree of discipline.

"I am sure that the Northern Care Alliance will reap the rewards of this covenant and I am thoroughly pleased to have the organisation on board and look forward to working closely with the team and making this partnership a success.”