A Veteran’s Welcome

Off By Ed Hanna

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust is proud to support ex-Service personnel and welcomes them to the team with open arms.

The organisation has been named a Veteran Aware Trust in recognition of its commitment to improving NHS care for Veterans, Reservists, members of the Armed Forces and their families. It has supported and helped nearly 1,000 Veterans. A number of staff are Veterans or currently Serve in the Reserve Forces.

Consultant Vascular Surgeon, Robert Salaman, joined the Army Reserves in 2015 and committed to Serving 27 days a year, which is made up of a two week annual camp, evenings and weekends. In May 2022 he volunteered for a six month deployment in Mali, West Africa, as part of the surgical trauma team.

He said: “When I turned 50, I was well established and happy in my career but I craved a new challenge. I’d always admired and respected the Military, so when I walked past the Army Reserve recruitment desk at Blackburn Royal Teaching Hospital, I applied – and I haven’t looked back since.

I’m attached to an Army field hospital but having a profession or specific skillset isn’t a prerequisite to signing up and the best thing about it is you get paid, travel, have access to training and learning opportunities and meet an exceptional and diverse group of people; all the time doing something worthwhile.

The opportunities presented to me through the Army have improved the calibre of person I am and without doubt made me a better doctor. I’ve been on trauma, leadership and management courses and the skills I’ve learnt have not only been put to use in the Army but have made me a more valuable employee to ELHT.

Joining the Army Reserves has enhanced my overall career satisfaction and I love being one. My only regret is not signing up sooner.”

ELHT has a guaranteed interview scheme for ex-Service personnel, so whatever your background, previous work experience and qualifications, take a look at what is suitable for you.