Bucks Healthcare NHS Trust has signed the Armed Forces Covenant - committing to fair treatment for those who serve, or have served in the military, and their families.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation to those who serve.

It says Bucks’ hospitals will do all they can to ensure they are treated fairly and not disadvantaged in their day-to-day lives.

This includes offering injured servicemen and women and bereaved families extra support where appropriate.

Trust Chief executive, Neil Macdonald, and Head of Royal Air Force Medical Services Air Commodore, Maria Byford, signed the covenant at an event held in the National Spinal Injuries Centre on November 20.

The Trust also welcomed invited guests and Jonnie the therapy pony from HorseHeard, a charity working with horses to promote positive emotional health and resilience outcomes for children, young people and adults in need.

Patients and staff had the opportunity to interact with Jonnie for the afternoon and he made a special visit to see a patient on one of the wards who was unable to come down to the NSIC foyer.

Mr Macdonald said: “We are proud to sign this covenant and show our commitment to providing safe and compassionate care to our armed forces. It is especially important to us as a Trust given the number of armed forces bases within the county and of families and local communities connected with them.”