Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-10)

We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.

The Armed Forces Covenant

An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families

The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.

Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant

1.1 We Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment

2.1 Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- UK Reservists
- UK Cadets
- Armed Forces Day
- Armed Forces Charities
We also pledge the following:

Promoting the Armed Forces. The Trust will: Work closely with other local NHS Trusts, /CBs, Armed Forces, charities and other voluntary organisations. Continue to be represented on the Civilian ond Military Partnership Board chaired by Buckinghamshire Council. Raise awareness of the Covenant at every opportunity by delivering Armed Forces Covenant Awareness sessions where possible. Employment support to members of the Armed Forces Community by: Supporting the employment of the Armed Forces Community by working with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP}, Step into Health and Forces Families Jobs to establish a tailored employment pathway for Service Leavers, veterans and their families. Collaborating with CTP, Step into Health and Forces Families Jobs to advertise BHT vacancies. Recognising transferable skills ond qualifications by offering a guaranteed interview to the Armed Forces Community for Trust vacancies Offering placement opportunities and insight days and mentoring schemes for the Armed Forces Community and Cadets where appropriate to work with the Trust as part of personal development, career transition, apprenticeships or further education opportunities. Offering an additional 10 days paid leave for Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers to carry out their training requirements. Carrying out ‘Job Fairs’ at local units to highlight job opportunities to the Armed Forces Community. Communications, engagement, and outreach: Publicising the Covenant and our support to the Armed Forces Community on the Trust website and social media platforms. Displaying the Armed Forces Covenant logo to show that members of the Armed Forces community are welcome. Displaying the Gold Award and Veteran Covenant Healthcare Alliance plaques. Appointing Armed Forces lead for the Trust and linking with local Armed Forces networks and other Trusts to ensure full collaboration Supporting local cadet units, either in the community or in schools, where possible. Host an internal Armed Forces Network, to enable staff members with an Armed Forces connection to meet and support one another and provide feedback to the Trust. Facilitate a ‘Tea & Toast at 10’ event for Trust employees from the Armed Forces Community each month. Host an Armed Forces and Veteran Breakfast Club at Stoke Mandeville Hospital restaurant. Civic responsibilities. The Trust will: Actively participating in Armed Forces Day Hold Remembrance Services across the Trust. Have representation in community setting including the ‘Health on the High Street’ locations. Remain current with Covenant activities and updates with representation at events, conferences and seminars. Any additional commitment the organisation wishes to make. Collaborate with Defence Medical Services where possible to encourage cross system working opportunities.

2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.