24 July 2025
Joe Chadwick-Bell, Chief Executive of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (left) and Lieutenant Colonel Charles Whitting, Commanding Officer of 4th Battalion, The Mercian Regiment.
Healthcare staff in Wolverhampton have been recognised for their efforts to support members of the Armed Forces community.
The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) first won the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award back in 2020 – a prestigious national award presented by the Ministry of Defence (MOD).
Five years on, the Trust’s Gold status has been revalidated.
Out of 13,000 plus organisations which have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, 1013 have achieved Gold, with only 20 of those in the Birmingham and Black Country area.
The scheme, which includes bronze, silver and gold awards, looks at support given to those who serve or have served, alongside their families, to ensure they are treated fairly and not disadvantaged in their day-to-day lives.
The highest award obtainable, RWT has demonstrated its commitment by signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant, taking part in the Step into Health programme (connecting those in the Armed Forces with career opportunities in the NHS) and becoming Veteran Aware.
All aim to demonstrate that armed forces personnel, and their loved ones, are valued and cared for.
With the support of its Armed Forces Staff Network, work at the Trust has included making the necessary wellbeing support available to those in need, providing flexibility for reservists, and celebrating key events such as Remembrance Day, Armed Forces Day and VE Day 80.
Representatives from MOD met with RWT executives at New Cross Hospital to resign the Armed Forces Covenant.
Joe Chadwick-Bell, Chief Executive of RWT, said: “To receive gold is incredible, and it is testament to the hard work of staff, both in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team, and to those who form our Armed Forces Staff Network. They are the people driving positive change every day.
“I’m so proud of the staff – we’ve set the bar and we need to keep going to ensure we maintain this high-quality support for our patients and staff.”
Alan Duffell, Chief People Officer of RWT, added: “As an ex-serving member of the Royal Air Force, I fully recognise the breath of skills and experience that all members of the armed forces can bring to the NHS. As such I am delighted that we have been presented once again with a gold award.”
Lieutenant Colonel Charles Whitting, Commanding Officer of 4th Battalion, The Mercian Regiment, said: “It’s great to hear the stories from staff who have links to the military, whether that’s serving staff members or those who have family and friends who are away on duty.
“We often forget how difficult it can be for people who are missing loved ones, but it’s great to hear support is being made available here at RWT to anyone with a connection.
“And no doubt many soldiers who are visiting home may often need to use the services here, so overall I’d like to say how grateful we are at the MOD for the Trust’s commitment as both as employer and a care giver. Thank you for all that you’re doing.”