His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge joined NHS Employers CEO Danny Mortimer in Central London to meet ex-servicemen and women, who took part in the Step into Health scheme, supported by the Duke’s charity, The Royal Foundation.

Around 50 health trusts have joined the pilot programme, which has so far helped personnel from across all ranks and branches of the military, from combat infantry soldiers to a Royal Navy Commodore.

Vacancies filled in the NHS include a number of clinical and non-clinical jobs, ranging from ambulance staff to operating practitioners and porters to departmental directors. The scheme has spread across every type of NHS provider – acute, community, mental health, ambulance services, and a number of community interest companies (CICs) and commissioning support units (CSUs).

Speaking at the event, the Duke of Cambridge said: “In many ways, the NHS has been the perfect partner in this endeavour. Many of the values the NHS espouses are well understood and widely practised within the Armed Forces: close teamwork, commitment, compassion, respect, dignity and professionalism.

“Likewise, the skills and experience that veterans can offer employers are highly sought after and valued within the NHS. By that I mean, for example, an ability to operate under pressure, courage in the face of adversity, leadership and management together with – above all – a strong and unwavering sense of public duty.”

• Comment below on this story. You can also tweet us to tell us your thoughts or share this story with a friend. Our editorial email is [email protected]