NHS Employers nominates healthcare providers to attend Exercise Rhino Heart
NHS Employers nominated two healthcare providers, Lincolnshire ICB and Portsdown Group Practice, to join 800 soldiers from the British Army’s 19th Light Brigade in attending Exercise Rhino Heart in Sennelager, Germany, alongside troops from Canada and Estonia.
Exercise Rhino Heart was intended to test rapid deployment, combined operations and NATO interoperability.
The exercise also served as a venue for allied cooperation and shared training. The Army stated that joint fieldwork strengthened trust and understanding of how reserve units can reinforce active formations across NATO territories.
“It was fascinating to see a tent that could provide lifesaving treatment including surgery. With a wide range of NHS personnel coming together to deliver care and to enhance their military and clinical skills.” - Jacqui Bunce, NHS Lincolnshire ICB.
Employers from across the UK were also invited to observe the training, to allow them to see first hand the leadership, planning skills and problem-solving capabilities that Reservists develop.
“The Reservists came from a variety of civilian industries – NHS professionals, haulage, self-employed trades, solicitors, police, fire service and many more. The transferability of skills from the workplace to the exercise and vice versa was clear and evident.” - Peter Spratt, Portsdown Group Practice
