Page 17 - QARANC Vol 20 No 2 2022

She will be moving back to Scotland to be nearer to her mother and be able to spend more time with her
husband. Alison will also be
returning to clinical practice
in a patient facing role,
getting back to her roots.
“I joined the Army because
I wanted to be a nurse and
I’ve missed that clinical side,
the interaction with patients
that you don’t have when
you’re in management, so
I’m looking forward to what
the future holds,” she says.
Her post Army schedule
will also involve walking and cycling, taking holidays and staying in touch with other QAs and former colleagues living locally.
And what of her successor, Col Paul Jackson? Does Alison have any advice for him?
She pauses for a moment and says, “Paul will be CNO at a really great time, where we’ve had reviews and he will be part of the implementation of whatever goes forward. I wouldn’t
great opportunities, and our Regimental family is like any other family, there are ups and downs and challenges. Sometimes I look back and wish I’d made a better decision or done more. But what’s important is to focus on learning from those experiences.
“I will remember the high points of my career, and the things I’ve really enjoyed, the great fun and the friendships
on the way that I still have. I’m looking forward to getting back into clinical nursing but I’m not trying to wish away the time I have left in the Army.”
She adds, “I think the balance I’m hoping to strike next is to have time to be with my family and friends and spend a bit more time with them than I’ve been able to in the last few years.”
I’m looking forward to getting back into clinical nursing but I’m not trying to wish away the time I have left in the Army
The Gazette QARANC Association 17
future and how they will maintain their distinct identities.
Alison reassures that there are “no decisions taken or foregone conclusions prior to a consultation phase with each of the Corps,” so the future is in the hands of the Corps to recommend what is important to them and what outcome they would like and why. The outcome will be recommended to the Senior AMS leaders in December after consultation with regular and reserve units. Whilst Alison has her own views on what she would like to see happen, during the consultation phase she does not wish influence thinking and recognises that as she will retire shortly, those who are new or in mid-service and who will need to work with whatever remains or becomes the future framework should have the greatest voice.
“It may be that we all share the same opinion but equally I might have a different view from somebody who’s recently joined,” she says. “We need to make sure that the decisions made are those that the future generations of the Corps wish to have, because they are the ones who will be living and working with that decision.”
In terms of her highlights as CNO (A), Alison points to the times she has been able to meet with the Corps, at symposium or celebratory events, including the recent 75th anniversary celebrations at the National Memorial Arboretum. She is immensely grateful for the support and advice she has received in post, particularly in tough times, from the two Colonels Commandant, QARANC Association Chair John Quinn and the Corps Representative Sergeant Major. As well as this, Alison is full of respect for work done by the Association Trustees, and the Regimental HQ team led by General Secretary Sue McAteer, for the benevolence work they do for members and funding and grants support for units and Branches.
In terms of whether she is leaving a mark on the job, Alison reasons, “It’s not about me or the changes I’ve implemented. It’s about looking after the Corps and protecting those interests, so that QAs are supported at home, overseas and on deployments through enhanced training and opportunities. We’ve been able to make some changes to improve that experience in the last 3 years, but there is a lot more still to do.”
at the end of her Terms of Service and it feels like the right time to leave. “I’ve been in the Army since I was 18, so it’s been a good long career. I can still remember my first day of basic training really clearly; it’s gone really quickly, as all careers do, I think.”
Alison accepts that she is “probably institutionalised” and is may only fully realise this when she steps away from the Army next year! However, it will not be the end of her life’s association with nursing, merely the opening of a new chapter.
give Paul advice, because he’s a very experienced nurse, he’s had a long career and has a broad experience. I think the one piece of ‘guidance’ I would give is just to value the support from Headquarters, who have that real corporate memory and knowledge that I’ve found invaluable. I know he’ll be very well served.”
Looking back over the decades, Alison has no regrets about her career choice. There are some opportunities she has enjoyed more than some others but considers that she has been very lucky and made some very strong friendships. “I’ve had some
Speaking more personally Alison is