The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust – an enriching career move
The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust continues to appreciate and value Veterans and Reservists. Mr Robin McMahon used his medical training to develop an outstanding career in the Armed Forces – which in turn informs his success with the NHS
Robin McMahon originally qualified as a registered general nurse having trained in Staffordshire. After qualifying, he gained experience in neonatal nursing before embarking on a neonatal intensive care course at Kings College Hospital, London. After consolidating, Robin sought promotion in Walsall where he worked as a charge nurse and subsequently undertook registered sick children’s nurse training at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Returning to Walsall he gained promotion as a senior charge nurse at Birmingham Women’s Hospital. From there he moved to New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton to become an advanced neonatal nurse practitioner.
Experience
Robin’s experience was applied in 2006 when he became part of a team of doctors, nurses, and midwives to travel to Sri Lanka to teach neonatal life support in conjunction with UNICEF and the Perinatal Society of Sri Lanka.
A lifelong supporter of St. John Ambulance, Robin joined the organisation in 1982 and in 1999 was invested as a Serving Brother of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem. He has held several key appointments culminating in his appointment as Commissioner (Operations) in 2003. At this time, he was the first nurse to be appointed to the position and at 35 was not only the youngest commissioner in the 100-year history of St. John Ambulance in Staffordshire but was the youngest in the UK.
Military background
Having passed out from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as an officer in the QARANC, Robin joined 335 Medical Evacuation Regiment as a Nursing Officer. Subsequently, Robin was appointed to the position of Specialist Nurse Advisor (Paediatrics), and later as Defence Specialist Advisor (Paediatrics); a tri-Service appointment. These appointments have seen Robin influencing paediatric training andequipment, and additionally the care of children on deployed operations.
Robin deployed to Afghanistan with the British Army in 2012 and was stationed at Camp Bastion in Helmand Province. Robin deployed as Paediatric Lead and Trauma Nurse Coordinator Assistant. Robin has actively participated in the Paediatric Blast Injuries Partnership coordinated by Imperial College London and in conjunction with other key Military and civilian experts. In 2018 he led a squadron strength detachment during Exercise Sabre Strike in Poland. The latter part of 2018 saw Robin become Officer Commanding of A Squadron, 335 Medical Evacuation Regiment.
He has now left 2nd Medical Brigade and joined 11 Security Force Assistance Brigade in a Staff Officer Medical role. Robin holds the Volunteer Reserves Service Medal.
Robin’s extraordinary career helps to explain why The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust has such respect and admiration for Service-leavers and Veterans. To start your career with them, visit: www.royalwolverhampton.nhs.uk
