We speak to Rob Shoosmith, a DHU Practitioner and RAF Reservist. Rob shared his experiences from the past year, highlighting how his dual roles have enriched both his professional and personal life.
Tell us about your journey with DHU and your role as an RAF Reservist?
Rob: “I joined DHU as a Paramedic Practitioner from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service in April 2021. I work at our Urgent Treatment Centres at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, New Mills, and Ashgate Medical Centre. This year, I’ve been very active as a Reservist, spending two months with the RAF, training with them and working on missions.”
How has your year been as a Reservist?
Rob: “It’s been incredibly busy. I became an RAF Reservist in 2016, and I’m delighted that DHU supports me in this role. Over the past year, I’ve learned a lot, especially about repatriating patients back to the UK. I’ve flown four missions: two to the Falklands, one to Cyprus, and one to Germany.”
Can you share a specific mission that stood out to you?
Rob: “I led one of the Falklands missions because I was the most senior and experienced clinician. We brought back residents with cardiac problems for essential healthcare. The mission was more than 18 hours each way, and my role involved ensuring the plane was equipped with everything needed to treat these patients. In a hospital, you can send for missing items, but in a plane, there’s no room for error. It’s all about thorough planning and keeping the patients comfortable.”
How do your experiences at DHU and the RAF complement each other?
Rob: “Both DHU and I have benefited significantly from this experience. The RAF benefits from the skills and knowledge I’ve gained at DHU. For example, I developed and presented paediatric training for the RAF, which is crucial for dealing with injured or unwell children, such as during the Afghan withdrawal. Similarly, the skills I’ve learned as a Reservist, particularly in leadership and various medical trainings, have enhanced my capabilities as a Practitioner.”
What does being on the RAF’s High Readiness Reservist list entail?
Rob: “For the past year, I’ve been on the RAF’s High Readiness Reservist list and will continue to be so. This means I could be deployed at short notice—24 to 48 hours—for missions related to sudden humanitarian events like earthquakes, floods, or localized major incidents. DHU has been very supportive, enabling me to fulfil these commitments.”
How has DHU supported you in balancing both roles?
Rob: “The partnership between DHU and the RAF ensures that any additional costs incurred to cover my shifts during absences are paid by the RAF. In return, they benefit from my experience. DHU has been awarded the Armed Forces Covenant Silver Award, which commits them to supporting the Armed Forces, including providing additional leave for training commitments while allowing me to spend time with my family.”
How have these experiences impacted your professional skills?
“The skills I’ve learned as a Reservist, particularly in leadership and medical training, have significantly enhanced my abilities as a Practitioner. The roles complement each other well. My confidence in working in various locations and teams, taking on different roles, and handling unexpected high-stress situations has increased. It’s a brilliant mutual agreement, and I’m fortunate that DHU is so supportive.”
Rob Shoosmith’s story exemplifies the valuable synergy between his work at DHU and his service as an RAF Reservist. His enhanced skills and experiences benefit both organisations, demonstrating the importance of supporting Reservists in the workforce.