NHS Shetland pledges Armed Forces support

June 20, 2022
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NHS Shetland has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, becoming one of the 8,500+ organisations to have pledged its support to the Armed Forces community.

The Covenant – a commitment to support the country’s service personnel wherever and however an organisation can – was signed at Fort Charlotte, Lerwick.

Brigadier Ben Wrench, Commander 51st Infantry Brigade and HQ Scotland, co-signed the Covenant on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, with NHS Shetland Chair Gary Robinson signing on behalf of his organisation (main image, above).

Gary Robinson and Brigadier Wrench with the signed Armed Forces Covenant and (left) Brian Chittick, NHS Shetland Integration Joint Board Chief Officer. Mr Chittick is also the organisation’s Armed Forces Champion.

Mr Robinson expressed his gratitude to the Armed Forces for their help to NHS Shetland during the Covid pandemic.

“The military liaison officers, Major Graham and Major James, did a great deal in supporting how we managed our PPE,” he said.

“The systems they helped put in place ensured we had a steady supply of PPE throughout the pandemic. These systems are now entrenched and part of their legacy.”

NHS Shetland is responsible for health care for a population of around 23,000. Local hospital and community services are provided from the Gilbert Bain Hospital. In addition, visiting consultants from NHS Grampian provide out-patient clinics as well as in-patient and day-case surgery.

The signing took place shortly before a 21-Gun Feu De Joie was fired by 212 (Highland) Battery, 105 Regiment Royal Artillery, in celebration of Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Shetland gun salute.
The Feu De Joie (fire of joy) being fired at Fort Charlotte, Lerwick.

To find out how you can support the Armed Forces, contact HRFCA’s Regional Employer Engagement Directors Roy McLellan at [email protected], or Ray Watt at [email protected].

To find out more about the Armed Forces Covenant, click HERE.

To find out more about NHS Shetland, click HERE.