Publish date: 31 July 2024
Armed Forces Reserves thank healthcare trust for continued support
Armed Forces Reserves from Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust have presented the Chief Executive with a framed emblem to express their gratitude for the trust’s continued support.
The trust has provided ongoing support to its employees in line with its Reserve Forces policy, allowing reservists to continue their mandatory training and attend additional training opportunities.
Consultant Surgeon, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Woodcock, and anaesthetic trainee Captain Chris Yates, were the reservists who presented the emblem to our Chief Executive on behalf of the Officers’ Mess. The emblem presented is the motif of the former 201 (Northern) Field Hospital Squadron.
Both Sean and Chris were members of 201 (Northern) Field Hospital before it integrated into the 214 (North East) Multi-role Medical Regiment (MMR) in November 2023, along with squadrons from Norton, Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Leeds.
The MMR provides an integrated healthcare system within a single unit by integrating deployed primary healthcare, pre-hospital emergency care, medical evacuation, and deployed hospital care capabilities.
Sean said: “I’m very grateful to the trust for their continued support of me and my reserve colleagues. This allows us to complete our annual mandatory training, and for some, the ability to deploy on operations.
“Without the support from the trust this would not have been possible. Skills learnt are transferable both ways between NHS and Army that aid in my day-to-day duties working for the trust.”
Birju Bartoli, Chief Executive, said: "Our trust recognises the importance of the reservists among our staff and we are proud to offer support to ensure they are maintaining their reservist status. We would like to thank them for their ongoing commitment to serving our country.”
Media contact
Louise Alexander, social media and digital assistant
Louise.Alexander@northumbria-healthcare.nhs.uk