This in from the IW NHS, in their own words. Ed
Army Medical Reservists from HQ2 Brigade based in York, which includes civilian NHS staff who are Medical reservists, were in camp on the Island between 15th and 22nd August.
As part of the camp, the Reservists visited St. Mary’s on Tuesday 18th August to raise awareness of the role of reservists and to open up links with Island NHS staff.
Those visiting the Island included individuals who have the following healthcare roles:
- Dental Surgeon
- Theatre Nurse
- Medical Support Officer
- Enhanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Theatre Nurse
- Intensive Care Nurse
- Emergency Care Practitioner
- Director of Strategic Capital Development
- Pharmacist
- Environmental Health Officers
- Day Surgery Staff Nurse
- Lead Podiatrist/Programme Manager
- Lecturer in Healthcare Law and Ethics
- Nurse Advisor Health Protection & Soldiers’ Health
- IT Specialist
Army Medical Services plaque
The Reservists work across a number of NHS and other healthcare providers and presented an Army Medical Services plaque to the Trust to mark the occasion of the visit.
The Reservists were welcomed to the Trust by Chief Executive Officer Karen Baker who outlined the services provided by the Trust and some of the challenges the Island faces as well as providing an overview of the Island’s My Life a Full Life programme. Apart from running an awareness stand outside the Full Circle Restaurant at St. Mary’s the Reservists visited the Integrated Care Hub.
Commanding Officer Lt Col Alan Moore said:
“The Medical Reserves provide a great opportunity for experience and training which NHS staff may not be able to get in their own organisation. Individuals who join the Reserves are then able to bring that experience and new skills back to their own organisations. There are many roles, both clinical and non-clinical, which NHS staff are ideally suited to because they already work in a medical environment. We’re grateful for the welcome that Isle of Wight NHS Trust have extended to us and we hope that we can work more closely with the Trust in the future.”
Karen Baker, Chief Executive Officer at Isle of Wight NHS Trust, said:
“Army medical reserves play an important role in our armed forces and we were pleased to host this visit. I hope that we can work more closely with the Medical Reserves – Army, Navy and RAF – in the future, as they can offer excellent experience and training to Island NHS staff whilst they remain employed on the Island.”
Military Operations Support Group
The unit visiting the Island between 15th and 21st August 2015 were the Military Operations Support Group (MOSG), who are made up of a multitude of medical professionals but within their current military career, are part of the command element, and as such usually fill roles within deployed UK Medical Groups, Medical Regiments and Field Hospitals.
Within the Reserve Army Medical Services, there are three Nationally Recruited Units (NRUs), of which, MOSG is one. There is also 335 Medical Evacuation Regiment, which is tasked with providing pre-hospital care and works primarily in a forward role. 306 Hospital Support Regiment provides specialist clinicians to deployed hospitals and regiments.
The three NRUs have a reduced commitment compared to the regional reserve units, owing to the fact they do not have parade evenings and reserve centres. Information about 2 Medical Brigade can be found online.
Further information about Defence Medical Services can be found online and the Reserve Army Medical Service. Individuals wanting further information should phone Freephone 0800 7311201.
