Hospital staff thank the military for their help during the pandemic | Latest news

Last week our teams bid a fond - and reluctant - farewell to the latest group of army personnel from the 1st Armoured Medical Regiment, who have been working alongside NUH staff in our hospitals to help care for patients during the pandemic.

At a socially distanced event, NUH Interim Chief Nurse Sarah Moppett led the thanks and tributes to the military personal who have been helping out on wards across our hospitals on a range of tasks, from helping to feed patients at mealtimes to tasks typically carried out by health care assistants and nurses, for those military staff with medical training.

Leading the tributes Sarah said: "When I told our nursing staff that the military were coming in to help, it gave everyone such an incredible lift. I have heard nothing but praise for the practical support and morale boost you have all given to our teams. Medicine in particular owe you a great deal of thanks for everything you have done for staff and patients".

Also addressing personnel from the 1^st Armoured, Laura Mitchell, Covid Matron,added: “It’s not only the help on the wards and with patients, it’s also the confidence and motivation you’ve given to our staff that has been so valued by everyone, especially at a time when many of our staff were tired and really feeling the strain of working during a pandemic”.

Private Renshaw said: "I've been working on an admissions ward. It's been a fantastic experience and an honour to be able to support our very hard working NHS staff. I'm looking forward to going back home, but my next placement might be to help out with the vaccination programme, so I'm really looking forward to helping out more".

Private Povey, who worked in our Emergency Department, reflected: "It's been an eye-opening experience to see how hard NHS staff are working right now, and it's been an honour to be able to work alongside them. I've really enjoyed my time at the trust and I'll take a lot back with me".

Private Walker added: "I supported the team on ward C53 where I helped staff care for the patients there. It was a privalege to be able to support the work of the doctors, nurses and pharmacists here at NUH".

Staff Sergeant Lindy Pinel thanked all the staff at NUH for being so welcoming and supporting the 1st Armoured Medical Regiment soldiers. He said "We have been made to feel very welcome and included within the teams we were deployed to". Sergeant Pinel also reiterated the importance of taking care of each other and offering kindness and support.