What’s your professional career history; and how did you progress to your current position with Flight Medic UK?

I sent my CV to Flight Medic UK after I had found them on the internet. They kindly called me back and offered to take me onboard. I was so pleased as I had found it impossible before this to break into the civilian air medical world. The following year they offered to promote me to Chief Flight Nurse. I was delighted to take on this role. They are a wonderful company to work with. I was very skeptical about how civilian air medicine would work, as I was used to having the full force of the Royal Air Force behind me. Flight Medic UK’s approach was brilliant. They really care about their personnel and have great systems in place for full support during all aspects of a mission.

Serving in the second Gulf War in 2003 with the UK RAF, as well as in Afghanistan and other theatres of war, you must have been part of some incredible missions; is there one that stands out for you in terms of what you accomplished under very difficult circumstances?

Every mission had its own challenges and each one left its own memory. For me it was the opportunity to be part of an amazing team of dedicated individuals who, despite what was going on around us, safely transported our patients back to the UK time and time again.

You continue to serve in the RAF Reserves; what does your role involve, and how does this balance with your work with Flight Medic UK?

I have held many varying roles within the RAF Reserve over the past 31 years from Flight Nurse, Flight Commander, recruiting, training, engagement, Staff Officer, Head of English for the CIOR Language Academy, to present day where I am attached to the Reserve Support Group at the Defence College at Shrivenham. As a Reserve, I have a minimal contract of 27 days per year; this can rise to 90. So I am able to balance my commitment to the RAF and my commitment to Flight Medic.

You recently received the King’s Volunteer Reserves Medal – first of all, congratulations! What does this mean for you personally?

I had always wanted to do something different, something out of the box, with my nursing

I was extremely surprised and deeply honored – firstly that my Wing Commander from my previous squadron, 614 Sqn, took the time to write me up for it, and secondly that the board passed it. It is an amazing achievement and something I never thought would happen to me. I will be forever grateful and treasure it always.

How did you first become involved in the repatriation industry?

I qualified as a nurse in 1983. I had always wanted to do something different, something out of the box, with my nursing. Ten years later I had my chance. I joined the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, 4626 Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) Sqn based at RAF Lyneham, and trained to become an air medical repatriation nurse. This was part-time, one weekend a month, and an annual 14-day training camp. I loved it.

How does your military background and training contribute to your success in the commercial repatriation sector?

I joined 4626 AE Sqn in 1993 and once I had completed my basic military training I went on to do my air medical evacuation training. This was a very intense three-week ground school followed by a two-week flying phase. There is nothing in the civilian commercial repatriation training that can compare with this level of training. I flew with the military for nearly 20 years on both military and civilian aircraft. I served full-time with Tactical Medical Wing for about 18 months, doing worldwide aeromed. My job was exactly what I do now with Flight Medic UK, but on behalf of the military, doing repatriations on civilian aircraft. I consider myself to be very well trained and have a very wide range of experience. All of this is transferable and has helped me significantly in the commercial repatriation sector.

I consider myself to be very well trained and have a very wide range of experience. All of this is transferable and has helped me significantly in the commercial repatriation sector

What kind of specific attributes do you think a person needs to have to be able to work in the medical transport profession?

Calm; able to work alone as well as being a good team player; flexible; able to make instant decisions on the spot; a good listener, [with] effective communication skills; good all-round nursing experience; practical, adaptable and easy to get along with; able to relate to your patient.

What is the most enjoyable part of your job as Chief Flight Nurse? And what is the most challenging?

The most enjoyable part of my job is the moment I meet my patient. To see the look on their face as they realize they are going home is something that is hard to put into words. I consider myself very privileged and honored to do the job I do. It is so nice to have the one-to-one relationship with my patient, and although we may only be together for a short time, a bond does build between us that is so different from other areas of nursing.

I think the most challenging area for flight nursing is the logistics. Bringing all the agencies involved in the transportation of patients together at the right time, in the right place, can have its moments.