Lead Nurse learns at the Territorial Army
12-May-2004
David Rawlings, Trust Lead Nurse for Intensive Care at Northwick Park Hospital (pictured left) swapped the comfort of his INTENSIVE CARE UNIT for a wet and windy day at Shorncliffe Garrison in Kent to watch his Reservist employee, Private David Pace, undergo rigorous training in preparation for his deployment to Iraq with the Territorial Army (TA) later this month.
The Employer Visitors Day offered employers the opportunity to learn more about the role their Reservist employees will be undertaking whilst serving in Iraq and enabled them to gain a better understanding of the Volunteer Reserve Forces first-hand. David listened to a briefing in the morning by the Commanding Officer of his employee’s TA unit - The London Regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Mooney briefed employers on the operational situation in Iraq and provided details of the geography, climate, political situation and possible hazards that his troops might face during their 6 month deployment.
The employers were then invited to witness their employees in live training situations, which included reacting to an ambush and withdrawing to safety whilst under fire, practising crowd control and patrolling crowded streets, and responding to potentially threatening situations.
Private David Pace, an Australian, and a Reservist with a TA unit in Edgeware works as An intensive care staff nurse for Northwick Park Hospital. Commenting on his day with the London Regiment, David Rawlings said: ”I felt extremely proud when I saw David in action, training for his 6 month deployment in Iraq.”
With increasing demands placed on Britain’s Armed Forces, Reservists now play a vital part in international peacekeeping and defence. An effective partnership between the Armed Forces and employers is key in enabling the Volunteer Reserve Forces to function to their maximum effectiveness.
Debbie Speakman, the SaBRE (Supporting Britain’s Reservists and Employers) Employer Support Executive for Greater London commented: “Inviting employers to Visitor Days such as this really provides them with the opportunity to witness the intense and robust training their employees undertake as Reservists. It lets employers see first-hand some of the practical management and leadership skills developed in the Reserve Forces and also gives them a real feel for what life in today’s TA is really like.” This is something David Rawlings clearly believes. He commented “Training with the Reserve Forces teaches employees many skills which are directly transferable to the workplace, such as teamwork, communication skills and problem-solving. This can only be of benefit to the hospital as an employer”.
For further information on employing members of the Volunteer Reserve Forces call
020 7384 4676 or visit www.sabre.mod.uk.