Tenth Isle of Wight NHS Trust Staff Member Joins The Army Reserves

The Isle of Wight NHS Trust is proud to announce long-serving nurse Kris Warner has become the organisation’s 10th staff member to join the Army Reserves, marking a proud milestone for the trust and reinforcing its continued support for reservist colleagues.

Kris, who has worked at St Mary’s Hospital for over 24 years, joins the 243 Multi-Role Medical Regiment - 129 Detachment Cosham as a professionally qualified nurse.

He continues his NHS role as National Major Trauma Registry (NMTR) and Trauma Coordinator within the Emergency Department, where his behind-the-scenes work plays a critical role in improving patient care, clinical performance, and trauma pathway outcomes.

Kris said:

“I’ve always had a keen interest in the armed forces.

"Joining the Reserves is a way of fulfilling a lifelong ambition. The Army’s values and standards align closely with my own, and although it’s been a long process, I’m so proud to finally be part of it.”

As part of his Reservist role, Kris will undertake 27 days of training each year, including a two-week annual camp. The trust proudly supports this vital contribution by providing an additional two weeks of paid leave, on top of annual leave, for staff undertaking military training.

Mandy Blackler, Veteran Aware Management Champion for Isle of Wight NHS Trust, said:

“Reservists like Kris bring a wealth of transferable skills back into the NHS - leadership, teamwork, resilience, and decision-making under pressure. We’re incredibly proud to support our reservist staff and value the strength they bring, both to their military service, and to our patients and teams here at the trust.”

Kris’s passion for improving trauma care is evident in his daily work. He analyses complex data on trauma admissions, works closely with multidisciplinary teams and the Wessex Trauma Network, and leads on peer reviews, training, and equipment improvements, ensuring the department continuously evolves to meet patient needs.

His story is a powerful reminder of the dedication and ambition shown by NHS staff every day, and the value of supporting diverse career development opportunities within the workforce.