Hartlepool soldier spends 18th birthday helping with hospital covid fight on his first day of military operations

Private Brandon Dean is one of twelve soldiers belonging to the 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment who have been deployed to carry out general duties at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Worcester and Alexandra Hospital, Redditch, both part of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

The Armed Forces cannot deploy personnel in public-facing roles until they are aged 18 so this was Brandon’s first operational task for the Army.

Private Dean was presented with a birthday cake and card from fellow soldiers during a break from duties, which took place on Friday January 29 on the ward at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

He said: “It was a big surprise to get a cake and card from my unit on my first day of duties at the hospital.

“We are all just pleased to be doing our bit to help the NHS at this crucial time. Anything we can do to ease the pressures on nurses and doctors, who are working incredibly hard, makes this worthwhile.”

Private Dean is among 370 soldiers deployed with NHS Midlands hospitals, who are assisting as either Combat Medical Technicians or, as in Private Dean’s case, carrying out general duties.

The general duties soldiers cover a range of non-clinical tasks, such as moving equipment and cleaning, as directed by NHS staff to improve patient care.

Hundreds of defence medics have deployed to NHS hospitals across the UK to work in intensive care units and other patient facing roles, providing vital care alongside NHS professionals.

The majority of the 800 defence medics nationwide supporting hospitals are trained as combat medical technicians.

In their day job, these soldiers deploy on overseas operations and exercises as medics, work in defence medical centres and provide medical training to fellow Armed Forces’ personnel.

Brigadier AJ Smith, Commander Joint Military Command, West Midlands said: “We remain in support of NHS Midlands as we have been for the last ten months. Our military personnel are providing medical and broader support to the amazing NHS team as they continue to face this unprecedented challenge.

“In addition, we are helping to roll out the regional vaccine programme with six Vaccine Quick Reaction Forces, made up of military personnel, deployed across the Midlands.”

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