Civvy Life – Delivering great care to Veterans
Former Tank Commander, Pratap Perseeddoss, is a child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) consultant nurse and safeguarding lead – and an Armed Forces champion, with Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust.
What’s your Military background?
I joined the Military in 2006. I finished my training at Winchester before going to Bovington with the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment as a driver, gunner and loader and eventually Tank Commander. I was deployed to Iraq in 2007 and left in 2010.
How was resettlement?
When I left the Military, I wanted to do nursing. I got some basic qualifications in the Military: all the numeracy and literacy skills, and my driving licences as well, so Cat B and C.
Resettlement was OK. They helped me select a university and I went to London Southbank University where I completed my degree. I left the Military in July and I was at university two months later to start my BSc in mental health nursing. I completed my BSc and started work with the NHS and then did another BSc in public health, and then completed an MSc in advanced clinical practice.
I’m currently a nurse consultant, working for Oxleas NHS.
At that time, your Military resettlement was quite minimal…
My driving licence was the only thing I got from my resettlement. There wasn’t much information about how to get into the NHS at that point. I know things have changed now.
I’m now one of the Armed Forces champions for the trust, going to different barracks and promoting the trust.
How did you come to work specifically for Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, when there are so many other trusts to consider?
I don’t live far from where I work. I live in South London, so it’s easy for me to travel. The trust is fantastic to work for in terms of a career pathway, equality and diversity – and there’s a lot of work going on in terms of reducing waiting times for patients – and we’ve just become accredited as Veteran Aware.
I am currently working as a consultant. I have oversight of all the nurses and in setting up new career pathways for staff joining the trust, to make sure they have a wonderful career and they stay in the NHS.
We have a lot of Veterans within Bromley, Bexley and especially in Greenwich, who require our services. In the Military, you have free medical care, but as soon as you leave, that’s gone. Sometimes, as a Veteran, you’re still unsure about what kind of resources you can access in terms of things like mental health.
We do see it a lot where there are Veterans who are not accessing resources. That was one of the reasons why Oxleas NHS chose me. I’ve got the background and can reach out to Veterans. I’ve been to barracks to talk with Soldiers and Military families about what sort of resources we offer.
Do staff who are Veterans have some of the same difficulties as Veteran patients in learning to live differently on civvy street?
Yes, definitely. It’s quite different. In my own experience, when I left the Military, there was not much support. I left on 13 July 2010, and that was it, done!
When I get in touch with somebody who Served I don’t want them to have that same experience. They’ve Served, they’ve got brilliant skills and we can use those skills in the NHS.
What kind of skills and attributes do Veterans bring to the NHS?
The first thing is discipline. They are always on time – and they have great communication skills, get things done, make sure that targets are achieved and have compassion. I see Veterans who are very compassionate.
They also want to learn more and progress within their career.
When do you find yourself using Military acquired skills?
I am very committed and passionate about the work I do and delivering great care for the NHS. That all comes from the Military.
What do you miss from the Forces?
I miss going on exercises and all the camaraderie and banter. Maybe one day I’ll join the Reserves.
What would you say to Service-leavers who are currently considering working in the NHS?
There are challenges in the NHS but it is one of the best career pathways and you’re doing something good with your life; you’re caring for people.
I would definitely advise joining the NHS.
Visit: www.oxleas.nhs.uk
