As an organisation we have been very active in showcasing ourselves as a supporter of the Armed Forces and been to several events to speak to them and explain how we can support them.
Caroline Hannan is our Clinical Services Lead and also Head of Clinical Service Development for Urgent and Emergency Care, leading on some of our recruitment. We frequently attend events, and caught up with Caroline to find out more…
Caroline told us: “I line manage Rob Shoosmith who is a Reservist and also a member of Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron No 4626, I know we featured a story on him a short while back (We did – click here to read). I was lucky enough to be invited to the engagement event held by RAF Reservists Employers at Brize Norton on 15th June, attending with Dr Joanne Finney who is our Head of Clinical Audit), as part of DHU’s continued efforts to achieve the Silver Award for the Armed Forces Covenant.
Chance to show what Reservists get up to
“It was essentially an opportunity for the RAF to show employers what the reserves get up to, including a welcome presentation before moving on to view different stands from different areas of the Reservists. Everything from Admin and HR to drivers, RAF cooks set up a field kitchen to prepare lunch and there were members from different squadrons including engineering, training, medical and flight crew. The med corps put on a fascinating display of a patient transfer from an ambulance to a plane which was incredible to watch.
“The RAF has nearly 2000 employed Reservists, attending for a minimum of 27 days per year and you can join up to the age of 54, me and Jo were asked several times if we would like to join!
“After the visiting the stands, we were invited to the indoor rifle range to have a go firing a rifle on the target range which we both passed and were then lucky enough to visit the airfield and have a walk around the new Atlas A400 plane which replaces the Hercules. They transport personnel and equipment to anywhere in the world where services may be needed, we also had the opportunity to walk around the Globemaster ZZ172 and sat in the cockpit.
Highly trained individuals
“What the event showcased was the amazing skill and dedication the Reservists learn and display and how we as employers of Reservists, benefit from highly trained individuals that are well versed in organisational and leadership skills, are team players and problem solvers and prepared for any event.
"Rob is about to embark on a 3-month training secondment to develop his skills further as part of the High Readiness Reserve [HRR] which will respond in the event of a National or International crisis such as a Hurricane or earthquakes. To have someone working within our ranks with that level of training is just incredible and we are so lucky to be able to benefit from that.
“I feel proud to support Rob on a personal level and that DHU has invested this level of time and dedication to Reservists and ex-servicemen and women. I wish him well in the next few months and have no doubt that he will succeed…Good Luck Rob!”
You can read about two more of our colleagues with a history in the Armed Forces including HR Manager Patrick Molley (click here to read) and Head of Talent Acquisition Chris Rowe (click here)