Saluting Armed Forces Week across Essex hospitals
Flag-raising ceremonies took place earlier this week across Broomfield, Basildon, and Southend hospitals in celebration of Armed Forces Week.
Hospital staff, chaplains, and partners from the armed forces community came together across Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust to mark the occasion.
Led by the Trust’s chaplaincy teams, the events included readings, prayers, and the blessing of the armed forces flag, offering a moment of reflection and recognition for those who serve, including serving personnel, reservists, veterans and their families.
Representatives from the 254 (East of England) Multi-Role Medical Regiment - an Army Reserve regiment of the British Army and part of the Royal Army Medical Services - and Equans, which supports veterans and armed forces charities, also joined colleagues at the sites.
They were there alongside members of local senior leadership teams, highlighting the strong links between the Trust and the wider armed forces community.
At Basildon Hospital, the event was supported by colleagues including Nick Morrison, Estates and Facilities Operations Lead, who is actively involved in Armed Forces Network initiatives across the Trust.
He said: “We came together to recognise and honour the men and women who serve in our armed forces and the families who support them.
“Within the NHS, we are proud to stand alongside the armed forces community. Their skills, dedication and resilience strengthen our organisation every day.
“Although raising the flag is a simple act, it carries deep meaning, symbolising respect, gratitude and the shared values of service, compassion and commitment to others.”
Armed Forces Week, which runs until Sunday 28 June, is an opportunity to recognise the contribution of the armed forces community across the UK, with Armed Forces Day taking place nationally on Saturday 27 June.
Last year, the Ministry of Defence recognised the Trust with a top award for its work supporting hospital staff from armed forces backgrounds.
The Trust was given the Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, which acknowledges wide-ranging support for staff members who are reservists, veterans, cadet force adult volunteers, or partners of serving personnel.
Christine Blanshard, Executive Officer Lead for the Armed Forces Staff Network at the Trust, said: “We are proud to offer support for colleagues so that they can thrive in both their NHS roles and military commitments, while also recognising the service our veterans have given.
“Our network plays an important role in shaping policies, such as paid leave for reservist training and flexible working for staff whose partners are deployed, injured, or bereaved. The award was a real tribute to the care and commitment shown by so many people across the Trust over the years.”
Registered with the Career Transition Partnership - a programme for all service leavers - the Trust advertises its vacancies and encourages applications via the partnership, as well as promoting working in the NHS on the Forces Families Jobs website.