West Midlands Ambulance Service has been recognised for the support it shows to the armed forces community by being awarded an Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award.

Issued by the Ministry of Defence, the Gold Award represents the highest badge of honour available to those that employ and support those who serve, veterans, and their families.
 
As part of the process of achieving the Gold Award, the Trust has signed the Armed Forces Covenant and engaged with the MOD’s Career Transition Partnership and the Step Into Health programme to promote the recruitment of service leavers, as well as honouring the individual pledges of support.
 
West Midlands Ambulance Service employs more than 100 veterans and were the first ambulance service to provide an access course in order to help complete the transition to the Trust. The service also boasts a network of Military Champions who were instrumental in setting up the access course and act as advocates, ensuring all former members of the military receive the support they need when joining and throughout their time with WMAS.
 
The Trust will be presented with its award, together with other successful employers, at the National Army Museum in London on Tuesday 12 November. Director of Workforce and Military Champion at WMAS, Kim Nurse, said:

“We are thrilled to have been recognised with a Gold Award as it highlights the level of importance the Trust puts on supporting members of the military.
 
“As a service we are able to offer a long-term career option for those coming back into civilian life and the skills they have gained during their military career and whilst serving as Reservists has great benefit for the patients they treat and for their work with the Trust in general.”