Former British armed forces personnel such as Ealing Hospital’s Graeme Armour are set to be more visible as new laws requiring public sector organisations to offer more opportunities to military veterans comes into force.
The Veterans Covenant Programme looks at how staff can better identify veterans using NHS services and help them access the range of charities and agencies available, The programme also encourages NHS employees to consider the possibility of becoming reservists in the Armed Forces.
Having served the country for 35 years, Graeme is now serving as a programme director for London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH) which operates Ealing Hospital, Central Middlesex Hospital in Park Royal and Harrow’a St Mark’s Hospital and Northwick Park Hospital.
Graeme, who joined the Royal Marine Commandos as a teenager and served in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan said: “I think we have a lot of offer the NHS in terms of organisational skills and a commitment to get the job done. I see clear similarities between the two organisations. Both have large workforces, are committed to helping people and often work in high pressure situations where people’s lives depend on them.”
Graeme added: “We need to support our veterans, but also realise they have a lot to offer and are good team players with a range of skills. I had various roles during my time in the Royal Marines, including overseeing the training of more than 2,000 Afghan police officers in Helmand Province.”
