16 Air Assault Brigade joins EEAST for a series of rideouts

This week, combat medical technicians from 7 Para Royal Horse Artillery, which are part of 16 Air Assault Brigade, joined EEAST to begin a series of rideouts to observe our paramedics working in the community, as part of our ongoing relationship with the HM Armed Forces.

Their aim is to gain pre-hospital exposure, understanding how patients are treated before being admitted into hospitals. Combat medics gain vital experience and clinical knowledge from interacting with our patients. They also bring trauma experience from worldwide events, which is crucial for our frontline staff and volunteers.

Mark Wibberley MBE, Senior Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) at EEAST, is behind the initiative to encourage more combat medics to train with our paramedics.

Mark said: “These ride outs will give them an insight into pre-hospital care, and once they finish with the army, they might think about joining us at EEAST”.

Using his expertise from serving in the army himself, and previously working as a recruitment manager, Mark is passionate about the working relationship between Armed Forces and NHS, and how important it is that both institutions learn off each other, and work together in the community.

Sergeant Stephen Worsley from 7 Para Royal Horse Artillery said: “It’s a great opportunity for them to get this in their portfolios and build a relationship with the local NHS Trusts”.

Back in 2020, whilst tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, 16 Air Assault Brigade worked with EEAST to provide more frontline staff for life saving care in Essex’s ambulances, while gaining valuable clinical experience.

The rideouts will take place over a two week period, as part of our collaborative partnership with the HM Armed Forces.