Meet the NHS nurse serving patients in both the NHS and Royal Air Force
Whether supporting patients in operating theatres at Arrowe Park Hospital or training for aeromedical evacuation with the Royal Air Force Reserves, Ben Turnbull is used to working in high-pressure environments where teamwork and patient care come first.
As Wirral University Teaching Hospital (WUTH) marks Armed Forces Week, the Anaesthetic Nurse is sharing how balancing careers in both the NHS and military healthcare has strengthened his skills and given him the opportunity to serve in two very different but closely connected settings.
Ben combines his role at WUTH with service as a Nurse in 4626 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron based at RAF Brize Norton.
Ben joined WUTH in September 2023 and said his decision to join the Armed Forces was driven by a desire to develop new skills, experience new opportunities and challenge himself professionally and personally.
He said: “I joined the Armed Forces to gain new skills both in and out of nursing, travel and take part in opportunities such as adventurous training and sport.”
After completing military training in January 2025, Ben has already taken part in medical exercises in RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, and across the UK.
As a reservist, Ben balances military commitments alongside his NHS career.
He said: “As reservists, we train once a month at dedicated training weekends focusing on a mixture of military and medical skills. Most medical reservists work in the NHS or frontline healthcare during the week and, when deployed, we are fully integrated with our regular colleagues.”
Within his NHS role, Ben works across a range of hospital environments supporting patients requiring anaesthetic and emergency care.
He said: “As an Anaesthetic Nurse, I work as part of a team of Anaesthetic Nurses and Operating Department Practitioners alongside Anaesthetists to provide safe anaesthetic care across the Trust.
“We support patients in theatres, endoscopy, MRI and Interventional Radiology, as well as providing emergency care in A&E resus, across wards and helping transfer patients to other hospitals for further treatment.”
Ben said many of the skills developed through service translate directly into patient care.
He said: “The skills used within the military setting are very similar to the NHS, just in different environments.
“Teamwork always stands out as a vital skill across both the RAF and NHS.”
Alongside his clinical and military roles, Ben is involved in WUTH’s Armed Forces Network, helping bring together colleagues who are serving, have served or have an interest in the Armed Forces community.
He said: “I wanted to support others who are serving or are veterans working within the Trust and also show what reservists do.
“You don’t have to have served or be serving to engage with the network.”
Wirral University Teaching Hospital has signed the Armed Forces Covenant as part of its commitment to supporting serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families.
The Trust was recognised as a Veteran Aware Trust in 2023 by the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VHCA) and has also received the Employers Armed Forces Covenant Silver Award in recognition of its support for the Armed Forces community.
Hayley Kendall, Executive Managing Director and Executive Partner of the Armed Forces Network at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, said: “Armed Forces Week is an important opportunity to recognise and celebrate colleagues across our organisation who serve, have served or support the Armed Forces community.
“Ben’s story demonstrates the valuable skills and experiences reservists bring into healthcare and how those experiences strengthen our teams and ultimately benefit patient care.”