Supporting the Armed Forces community

The NHS employs many staff from across the Armed Forces community. We support employers to ensure these military colleagues are able to thrive.

The Armed Forces community includes regular personnel, reservists, veterans, adult cadet force volunteers and families of regular personnel, reservists and veterans.

The values held by members of the Armed Forces community closely align to the NHS ways of working and values, with particular emphasis on service, commitment and respect.

Support for your Armed Forces agenda

Article

Creating an Armed Forces policy

An overview of how to create an Armed Forces policy and what it should include.

1 September 2020

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NHS Employers Armed Forces networks

Connect with our Armed Forces team and with fellow employers at our regular engagement and networking sessions.

9 May 2023

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Becoming a forces-friendly employer

Follow our five simple steps to help you on your journey to establishing yourself as an inclusive, forces-friendly employer.

9 March 2021

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Defence Employer Recognition Scheme awards

An overview of the Ministry of Defence-led awards programme which recognises organisations for their support to the Armed Forces Community.

9 January 2020

View all resources

Armed Forces Reservists in the NHS toolkit

Your bite-sized guide to understanding and supporting Armed Forces reservists in your NHS workforce.

Access the toolkit

Latest blogs and case studies

Case Study

Salisbury NHS Trust's gold-standard commitment to Armed Forces community

This trust has improved its commitment to its AF community through new policy, an advocate and networks to support retention and staff experience.

19 June 2023

NHS staff and Armed Forces personnel standing with a banner outside a hospital.

Case Study

Trust sets the pace on gold-standard military support

Milton Keynes University Hospital raced to the Defence silver award for its work supporting the Armed Forces, with sights now firmly set on gold.

6 January 2023

Portsdown Group Practice – Defence ERS award – Armed Forces

Case Study

Recognising the Armed Forces in a primary care setting

A primary care provider in Portsmouth is making good on its pledge to support the local Armed Forces community while championing military employees.

20 December 2022

Army service personnel standing with a banner and stand at an Armed Forces event.

Case Study

Achieving Defence gold standard across newly merged trust

Learn how a trust merger initiated a gold-standard approach to supporting the Armed Forces across the entire workforce.

30 September 2022

Step into Health

The Step into Health programme works to actively promote the NHS as an ideal employer to members of the Armed Forces community.

Step into Health

Find out about the Step into Health programme, the benefits of recruiting from the Armed Forces community and how to pledge.

Join the Armed Forces mailing list

Receive regular updates on our work with the Armed Forces community, hear about latest resources and upcoming events, and learn how you and your organisation can get involved.