BETSI Cadwaladr University Health Board has officially opened a new memorial area outside Wrexham Maelor Hospital in honour of Armed Forces Week (June 19-24).
On Monday, June, 19, the Maelor raised an Armed Forces flag during the official opening of its memorial outside the main entrance to the hospital.
The display includes benches, three new flag poles and three bespoke stone memorials with engraved plaques dedicated to the Armed Forces, Blue Light Services and the third sector and voluntary service providers.
The Health Board also held an Armed Forces flag at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd to show support for the staff and patients who are in or have family who are in the Armed Forces Community, either currently serving, veteran or reservists.
Zoe Roberts, Armed Forces Covenant and Veteran Healthcare Collaborative Lead, said: "I am thrilled to see the newly commissioned memorial site now in place, which will offer staff, patients and their families a place of remembrance, a place for a period of reflection and an opportunity to pay respects to those whom we have lost.
"Through this dedicated memorial site, we are able to celebrate the efforts of our Blue Light Services, the Armed Forces community and also the third sector of voluntary organisations, all of whom have served and continue to serve our population of North Wales, whether that be in terms of healthcare provision, or national security. We offer our thanks."
A Reserves Day will be held on Wednesday, June, 21, for staff who are Reservists to wear their uniform to work and be part of the celebrations.
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The Health Board has been working collaboratively with all other Welsh Health Boards, to run All-Wales events for staff to get involved, including flag raising ceremonies, online webinars, themes of forces families, LGBTQ+ and a veteran's lived experiences.
Earlier this year the Health Board launched a new programme called the North Wales Veterans Healthcare Collaborative to ensure that the Armed Forces Community across North Wales are not disadvantaged in the care they receive, and where possible, they receive personalised care and improved patient outcomes.
Last year, the Health Board signed the new Step into Health pledge, which aims to support career opportunities for members of the Armed Forces community by setting up training opportunities, work placements and application support.
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