Shajeda Ahmed, Chief People Officer for the NHS Black Country, has signed the Armed Forces Covenant on behalf of the Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB).
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly and are not disadvantaged in their day-to-day lives.
It provides an opportunity for employers to confirm publicly that they recognise the value that serving personnel, regular and reservists, veterans and military families contribute to our country.
The covenant was originally signed by the Black Country and West Birmingham Clinical Comissioning Group in 2021 and has now been signed by Shajeda Ahmed on behalf of the Black Country ICB to re-pledge its support to armed forces personnel and their families.
By signing the pledge, the Black Country ICB commits to embedding and upholding the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, ensuring that no member of the armed forces community faces a disadvantage in the provision of public or commercial services compared to any other citizen. The pledge also acknowledges that in some circumstances, special treatment may be appropriate.
Shajeda Ahmed said: “Our armed forces play a vital role and often make immense sacrifices to keep us all safe, and as such, it is a privilege to look after them, whether that is as a care provider or as an employer.
“By signing the covenant, we are committing that the armed forces community will be treated fairly, with the respect they deserve and will not face any disadvantages.
“We will uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant and continue to be an armed forces friendly organisation, to all our staff, patients, suppliers, contractors and the wider community.”
