Prince William has helped to support the Step Into Health movement, as he described their efforts as "incredible".
The 35-year-old royal visited Evelina children’s hospital in London on Thursday (18.01.18) where he met with veterans who have been helped by the NHS scheme which aims to help people move from the military into a job with the NHS.
The scheme – which was set up in conjunction with The Royal Foundation and Walking With The Wounded – is set to receive a national rollout, which will see veterans from all over the country able to transition into a job within the NHS.
Speaking at the hospital, Prince William said: "We must recognise the immense benefits all these people would bring to the NHS. At a time when concerns over the health service are never far from the headlines, we should rightly celebrate an incredible cohort of new staff, that will enter the NHS with their well-deserved reputation for hard work, dedication, and service."
Whilst at the children’s hospital, William met with Captain Neil McKie, who served in the Royal Army Medical Corp from 2005 to 2011, and who was also at St Andrews University and Sandhurst military academy at the same time as the royal.
The 37-year-old veteran was greatly benefited from the scheme, and said it offers jobs which give former military personnel another "purpose" after leaving the army.
Neil said: "There’s a lot of people out there, ex RAMC would be the obvious choice, but to be perfectly honest anyone coming out of the Army could easily integrate themselves into the NHS.
"They know how to deal with the type of things the NHS has built into it, they are very similar … a lot of people coming out of the military want a job, and it is not about money, it is about having a job which has a purpose."
Also during his visit, William met with the brave children being treated at the hospital, as he was shown around the centre by former veterans.
A tweet sent out by Kensington Palace’s Twitter account read: "The Duke of Cambridge has arrived at @EvelinaLondon, meeting the wonderful and brave children receiving treatment. He’s being shown around by former veterans who found work in the NHS thanks to Step Into Health. (sic)"
Prince William praises Step Into Health
