Armed Forces Reservists Special Leave Policy & Support

Reference: 24-25366

Date response sent: 20/11/2024

Details of enquiry

I am currently updating our records and would like to know

1. if you have an Armed Forces Champion/Lead and
2. a dedicated point of contact that focuses on Special Leave Policy for Armed Forces Reservists working in your organisation
3. If so, I would be grateful if you could provide me with their contact details or any relevant information about the support or services you provide for Reservists.

Response sent

1. if you have an Armed Forces Champion/Lead and

Yes, we have two main leads:

• Rachel James, Clinical Services Director, rjames@tavi-port.nhs.uk

• Gem Davies, Chief People Officer, gdavies@tavi-port.nhs.uk

2. a dedicated point of contact that focuses on Special Leave Policy for Armed Forces Reservists working in your organisation.

The two officers named in our response to Q1 are the Trust’s main leads on all matters related to Armed Forces Reservists and serve as a point of contact for them. As evidenced by their job titles their roles are not dedicated to Armed Forces Reservists matters

We have not yet progressed a special leave policy for reservists, but it is something we aim to do in the future. In the meantime special leave arrangements for armed forces personnel are included in our current Special Leave Policy, as attached, which is currently still valid and in use (see specific mention on page 17).

3. If so, I would be grateful if you could provide me with
   1. their contact details or

Please see our response to Q 1 above

1. any relevant information about the support or services you provide for Reservists.

The Trust is armed forces aware, and we undertook a programme of work to gain bronze status in conjunction with our REED (Regional Employer Engagement Director).

We have temporarily paused progression with our armed forces / veteran work whilst we concentrate on other (unrelated) Trust strategic priorities.