Stockport NHS Foundation Trust has won a top North West healthcare people management award for its outstanding support for staff who work in the armed forces.

The trust, which runs Stepping Hill Hospital and community NHS services in Stockport was triumphant in the ‘We Look After Our People’ category at this year’s HPMA (Healthcare People Management Association) Excellence Awards, which reward the best in NHS management across the North West.

They offer a range of support for staff who also work as reservists and other armed forces personnel, which has already been previously recognised with a ‘Silver Award’  from the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. This support includes a pre-employment programme for veterans and their families looking for entry level employment within the NHS, and involvement with nationally-led campaigns including Reserves Day and Armed Forces Week by encouraging staff to wear their military uniforms to work.

The trust also allows flexibility for reservist and cadet staff so that they can work around their training commitments.

The award was presented at the Holiday Inn Manchester, along with other winners from across the North West.

Adrian Belton is Chair of Stockport NHS Foundation Trust and its Board Champion for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and also serves as the Chair of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) Board.  Adrian said  “We appreciate the vital work of those members of our workforce who also serve in the armed forces, and we take real pride in providing them with a supportive working environment. I am immensely pleased these efforts have been recognised by the HPMA with this award, and I’d like to thank the members of our human resources team who have worked hard to help make it happen.”