Page 16 - QARANC Vol 20 No 2 2022

16 The Gazette QARANC Association
Alison recalls, “When you’re on your own, even with a doctor at the end of a telephone, you’re making quick decisions. Thankfully, most of it was routine clinical injuries and illnesses but also there were a few more complicated situations.” Assisting with injured animals was also a skill Alison had to learn quickly on the island.
Later, she went on a four months’ exchange with the New Zealand Army to learn about their practices and doctrine. She provided medical cover in Fiji at the time of the 2000 coup and saw first-hand how the New Zealand Army worked around the situation. This broadened her experience
How did she become CNO? When Alison’s predecessor (Alison McCourt OBE ARRC QHN) was preparing to stand down, she offered to speak with potential successors, and then it was a case of applying to a Selection Board, similar to the process for all assignments. Alison of course got the job and took up her post in 2019.
As CNO (Army) she is responsible for the professional regulation and standards of Nurses, midwives and Healthcare Assistants in the Army and for advising Defence on the training, professional competencies and employment of Army nurses. She
to do as much of the face-to-face engagement with units as she had been expecting. Although calls and virtual visits meant she could keep in touch, inevitably it meant she had far less contact with the Corps, whether regular, reserves or veterans then she had expected to, reflecting that it was a difficult experience for everybody.
However, a high point coming out of the pandemic, was to hear about the really great work from across the Corps in UK and overseas; those delivering all aspects of clinical care, those in supporting and staff roles and across the QARANC Association Branches. It really brought alive the QARANC Association ‘Friendship’ motto. A very poignant moment was when the Joint Hospital Group (South) at Frimley Park Hospital was given the freedom of the Borough of Surrey Heath. Alison was present to watch the parade and, seeing the QAs come marching around the corner their berets and belts standing them out and looking so smart, was an “immensely proud moment” for their chief. “Just knowing we’re part of the same organisation and how hard everybody has worked, and the real recognition for the unit, that was a special moment for me.”
Alison’s tenure has also brought challenges in the shape of major reviews – a huge field hospital review of the regular and reserve field hospitals; she was fully involved at all stages to develop structures for QAs. Then of course, there is Project Victoria, a major review of how the four AMS Corps (RAMC, RADC, RAVC and the QARANC) will develop in the
and has helped in her later career to the different ways to provide clinical care.
Another standout posting for Alison, was being part of the Army Officer Selection Board at Westbury where she worked with a team to select potential officers from across the Army including those for the Army Medical Services. Recruiting is great fun and working with “really enthusiastic applicants, who are keen to get into the Army,” was a real joy.
Just knowing
we’re part
also maintains the heritage and esprit de corps for the QARANC. Her role as head of the Corps is to maintain that delivery of standard.
of the same
organisation She reflects that,
and how hard everybody has worked, and the real recognition for the unit, that was a special moment for me
“Coming into the role there were elements that were absolutely as I expected them to be, because I had had a very good handover. What of course I couldn’t predict was the impact of the pandemic, which massively changed the requirements.” Having been expected to spend 40% of her working week on the
Throughout her career,
Alison has been fortunate to serve in most continents. Her initial overseas posting was to Brunei with 2 RGR where she was the first Matron of the Medical facility and experienced first- hand the extensive friendliness and hospitality of the local Bruneians, the Gurkhas and the Nepali nurses.
CNO role (which rather than a stand- alone post, is now a secondary duty) it became the priority, making for a “very different experience”, although for her, working with NHS Wales and NHS England during parts of the pandemic was a tremendous privilege.
Unsurprisingly, Alison was unable