Royal seal of approval for Step into Health

Staff from Guy’s and St Thomas’ met Prince William when he visited Basingstoke Hospital to hear about the Step into Health programme which helps ex-military servicemen and women to apply for jobs and get work placements in the NHS.

Danielle Fullwood, Step into Health Regional Lead for London and the south east who is based at Guy's and St Thomas', chatted to him about the programme which started in September 2015.

Ann Macintyre (Director of Workforce) and Staynton Brown (Associate Director, Equality and Human Rights) spoke to the Duke of Cambridge about the important work Guy's and St Thomas' has sponsored across London, Surrey and Kent.

Ann joined the Duke and a number of senior NHS leads in a roundtable to agree a national approach to improving job opportunities.

Step into Health is supported by the Royal Foundation of which the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as well as Prince Harry, are patrons.

The programme aims to recognise the transferable skills possessed by those who have served in the military – which can often be useful for a career in the NHS.

Danielle Fullwood said: "Over the past year I have seen 160 members of the Armed Forces community coming through the programme in our region and receiving support from an NHS mentor, having a work placement or being employed in the NHS.

“We have had great success and have employed many excellent veterans into senior posts at Guy’s and St Thomas’, as well as providing opportunity and support to members of the veterans’ community who were struggling to cope in civilian life.

“Having Prince William endorse the programme really shows the impact and potential that the programme could have on the health and well-being of the Armed Forces community, as well as providing an excellent talent pool from which we can recruit."

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