Celebrating NHS Organisations with Silver Defence Employer Awards
![Armed Forces Covenant. Employer Recognition Scheme. Bronze Award, Silver Award and Gold Award.](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_image_mobile/public/2024-02/ERS-bronze-silver-gold.jpg?h=dd1b06b1&itok=tmGY1Q-z)
The Ministry of Defence Employment Recognition Scheme (ERS) inspires employers throughout the UK to spotlight the crucial contributions made by members of the Armed Forces community within their teams.
A journey that begins with employers signing the Armed Forces Covenant has propelled these organisations to implement policy changes and workplace cultural adjustments to ensure members of the Armed Forces community receive support at work and are not disadvantaged during recruitment.
Three levels of dedication are recognised with the awards, bronze, silver, and gold.
For 2024, 15 NHS trusts and four Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) have received the Silver Award, reflecting their dedication to supporting members of the Armed Forces community.
The full list of Silver ERS Award winners for 2024 includes the following trusts:
- Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- East Cheshire NHS Trust
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
- Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust HQ
- Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
- Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust
- East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
- University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
- Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust
- South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
- George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust
- North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust.
And the following ICBs:
- NHS Surrey Heartlands ICB
- NHS Humber & North Yorkshire ICB
- Bath & North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire ICB
- Somerset Integrated Care Board.
Celebrating this year's accomplishments
These remarkable achievements will be celebrated by the NHS Employers team at a special Community Connect session on September 24, 2024. This event will not only highlight the winners but also provide a platform for them to share their experiences and best practices. We look forward to hearing inspiring stories of progression from Bronze to Silver and Silver to Gold and discussing ways to continue supporting the Armed Forces community.
Start Your ERS Journey
If your organisation is interested in joining those recognised for their commitment to the Armed Forces community, visit our Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Awards page to learn more about the awards and how to apply. For inspiration and best practice tips, explore our case studies from silver and gold-standard NHS trusts.