Ambulance scheme for military veterans receives royal seal of approval

A scheme encouraging military leavers and veterans to join the ambulance service has received a royal seal of approval.

The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) is one of the first 30 trusts to sign up to the Step into Health initiative. This aims to encourage people from a military background, or their dependents, to take up a new career in the NHS.

The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, officially launched the programme during a ceremony in London, also attended by EEAST’s director of service delivery, Kevin Brown and armed forces champion, Terry Hicks.

Mr Hicks said: “We are proud to be part of a scheme which is supporting the people who have put their lives on the line for this country, and their families. It was great to be part of the official launch of the Step Into Health Programme, which we know will make a big difference.

Veterans and people who are leaving the armed forces have a superbly transferable skill set and aptitude to working in a dynamic and diverse environment, which will make a tremendous impact within the communities that EEAST serves.”

Members of the armed forces with health-related skills and qualifications are being encouraged to take part, but there are also many other opportunities available within EEAST and across the wider NHS that don’t require any formal clinical qualifications.

Careers are not limited to frontline roles in the NHS, but also include maintenance, administration, finance, communications and management.

Step Into Health was developed by the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Walking with the Wounded, and The Royal Foundation, which is Prince William’s charity. For more details, visit the website.