Civic welcome for homecoming heroes

Corporal Maxine Simpson, an A&E nurse from Rochdale Infirmary.

A group of TA medics from the Pennine Acute Trust who have completed a four month tour of Afghanistan will join other troops to receive public recognition and thanks at a formal homecoming parade and events in Bury on Sunday (6  March 2011).

Included in those taking part on this special day will be reservist medics from the 207 (Manchester) Field Hospital (Volunteers) whose regular bases are at hospitals within The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

The seven volunteers include consultant medical staff, nurses from various departments and a radiologist who left their civilian day jobs last year at local hospitals across Pennine to work at Camp Bastion for three months.

Included in the seven is Corporal Maxine Simpson, an A&E nurse from Rochdale Infirmary.

The Bastion hospital is staffed by Territorial Army (TA) medic units on a three month rotation with the regular Army, so medical services can be sustained without having an adverse impact on the NHS in the UK.

Marian Carroll, Director of nursing at Pennine Acute Trust, said: “The Trust is extremely proud of the skills and expertise of all its staff and salutes our brave volunteers who have been able to transfer their skills at the highest level whilst serving in Afghanistan.

“On behalf of the Trust I would like to welcome the safe return of our colleagues from 207 Field Hospital. We are very proud of their commitment and bravery during their recent deployment and delivering the very best healthcare, in often very difficult circumstances, to not only those serving in the armed forces but also the citizens of Afghanistan. The new challenges they will have faced and dealt with I’m sure will transfer back as experience to our hospitals and their colleagues will have the benefit of learning from that.”

Each year approximately a thousand reservists are mobilised to serve alongside the Regular Armed Forces on essential military operations. They first undergo a programme of intense pre-deployment training to ensure they're as prepared they possibly can be for the task ahead.

The homecoming events will include a formal parade at Bury TA Centre (Bury Castle Armoury) where personnel will be reviewed by the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester and receive medals and a homecoming service at Bury Parish Church. At 1230 deployed personnel will march through Bury town centre, paying compliments to the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester and Mayor of Bury, and return to Bury TA Centre.