Oxford Health supports Armed Forces Day!

Fred, once on active duty in Afghanistan is now caring for patients and managing staff Covid 19 swabbing and testing. And others are following in his footsteps.

Oxford Health supports Armed Forces Day!

Former L Cpl Fred Yeboah’s experiences on active duty in Afghanistan have shaped his life and led to a new career with Oxford Health.

Events he witnessed at Camp Bastion in 2012 ultimately led him to study mental health nursing and he now works with our adult mental health services in Buckinghamshire as a community psychiatric nurse (CPN).

Fred, who has also raised more than £1,000 for the Help for Heroes charity, explained: “I wanted to understand and gain more knowledge on how to support people with mental health problems.”

From 2008, Fred spent six years in the army serving with various battalions of the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He was a reservist until two years ago.

Since lockdown, Fred has been busy in his role as a CPN supporting patients at home. He said: “Most patients appreciate my visits. I also offer advice on maintaining healthy lifestyles.”

He also manages PPE and staff Covid 19 swabbing and testing for Oxford Health’s South Bucks Teams.

Martyn Ward, Director of Strategy at Oxford Health and executive lead for the Step Into Health programme said: “The Coronavirus emergency demonstrated how well the armed forces work alongside and in partnership with other parts of society including the NHS.”

He added: “The fast build of the Nightingale Hospitals, the expertise of the army in logistics supporting PPE supplies and the use of military personnel in testing facilities are all vital contributions.”

Fred has already encouraged two of his army colleagues across into the NHS. When asked what he says to encourage others to take the leap, Fred replied: “I always encourage them to join for career progression and to learn new things to help others.”

To find out about job opportunities at Oxford Health contact Diane Woodward, Armed Forces Champion, by emailing diane.woodward@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk

For information about joining other NHS Trusts you can visit the Military Step into Health here: www.militarystepintohealth.nhs.uk/

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Published: 27 June 2020