Published on: 18 February 2020
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust has been shortlisted in the first-ever Step into Health Awards for its work in supporting members of the Armed Forces community to gain employment in the NHS.
The Trust, which is an established Armed Forces-friendly employer, is a finalist in the category of ‘Leading the way as an employer’.
It was the first NHS employer in the region to achieve the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Gold Award - the highest badge of honour available to those that employ and support those who serve, as well as veterans, and their families. It was also among the first to sign-up to the national Step into Health initiative which provides an access route into employment and other career development opportunities within the NHS to members of the Armed Forces community.
Step into Health recognises the transferable skills and cultural values that Armed Forces personnel have developed and how these are compatible with working in the NHS. It highlights the many career opportunities available and supports them in gaining employment within the NHS which offers over 350 different careers, clinical and non-clinical.
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust has a dedicated Step into Health lead to help ensure that it is fulfilling its pledge to the initiative and it has held several Step into Health events involving workshops, talking to employee veterans and engaging with recruitment teams to explore employment opportunities.
In association with the Ministry of Defence Career Transition Partnership, the Trust also hosted an event for service leavers, veterans, reservists and military spouses who expressed an interest in finding out more information about a healthcare assistant’s job within a hospital setting. Those who applied for the role following the event were guaranteed a selection interview and, as a result, two people were employed by the Trust.
Trust Chief Executive Ken Bremner gave the opening address when the Trust hosted the inaugural regional NHS Step into Health ‘insight’ event last summer on behalf of NHS Employers. Each of the North East’s Trusts was represented and 42 service leavers and veterans attended to gain a better understanding of the NHS and its partners and of how to access the wide range of jobs available.
In addition, the Trust has hosted two visits from the Armed Forces Recovery Centre in Catterick and another is scheduled for June 2020, after which the Trust will have welcomed 45 wounded and sick forces visitors. The day includes a welcome presentation, hospital tours, information in relation to Step into Health, lunch and an interactive session in relation to applying for posts and interview skills.
Kath Griffin, South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust’s Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development and executive lead for the Armed Forces, said: “We are honoured to be among the finalists in the Step into Health Awards. As a Trust, we are proud to support the Armed Forces community in every way we can and we recognise the values and transferable skills that they bring and the benefit of these to the NHS.”
As well as recognising employers who have pledged to support the Step into Health programme, the awards also celebrate the successes of individuals who have been through the programme and are now employed in the NHS. The winners will be revealed at a ceremony on March 10th in London.
