Local hospitals have shown their support for the Armed Forces, which have supported the NHS during the pandemic.

University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) has signed the Armed Forces Covenant – committing the hospital to honour and support the Armed Forces community.

Kevin Moore, Dorset Armed Forces Covenant programme coordinator, joined David Moss, UHD chairman and Debbie Fleming, UHD chief executive, in signing the Covenant at a recent ceremony and agreed to uphold its principles.

The Armed Forces Covenant recognises that the whole nation has a moral obligation to members of the Armed Forces and their families, and it establishes how they should expect to be treated.

The Covenant’s two principles are that the Armed Forces community should not face disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services in the area where they live and special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

Debbie Fleming, UHD’s chief executive, said: “We employ a number of staff within our hospitals who have served in the armed forces, and we value their contribution enormously. Over the years, our hospitals have benefited greatly from their training and experience as they progress their civilian careers in the NHS.

“The past 18 months have been so tough for everyone, as we have been dealing with the outbreak of Covid-19. I want to thank again our Armed Forces colleagues for all their support in responding to the pandemic. They played an invaluable part in helping us to maintain essential services.

“We are absolutely committed to supporting our armed forces community and we are delighted to be able to formally demonstrate this commitment by signing the Covenant today.”

Kevin Moore, Dorset Armed Forces Covenant programme coordinator, said: “I’d like to thank everyone at University Hospitals Dorset for being supportive of the Armed Forces community and, in particular, the pledges you have made.

“By signing the Covenant you are recognising the value that serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to your organisation, and to our country.”