University Hospital of Wales Nurse Practitioner on his decade-long career in the Army Reserves

To celebrate Reserves Day, Emergency Nurse Practitioner Mal Lewis has spoken about his career in the Army Reserves, which has allowed him to travel the world and use his specialist skills in challenging and unique environments. 

Reservists play a central role alongside regular units to meet defence requirements and provide assistance in specialist areas such as the medical and communications fields.  

They are integral to protecting the nation’s security at home and oversea and as a supporter of the Armed Forces, Cardiff and the Vale University Health Board is proud to work with 11 reservists.  

Major Mal Lewis, an Emergency Nurse Practitioner in the Emergency Unit at University Hospital Wales (UHW), has been an Army Reservist for 12 years.  

As a Nursing Officer, Mal is in charge of the Emergency Department of 203 Welsh Field Hospital and over his career has been deployed to field hospitals in Iraq, Afghanistan and Sierra Leone. 

He said: “For me, the Army Reserve provides a great environment to develop new skills and challenge myself whilst also serving my country.  

“The adventure training provides a great opportunity to experience things I maybe would not have in civilian life. So far, I have had the chance to go mountain biking, sailing, skiing and walking in the Grand Canyon.  

"The Army Reserves also offers completely different opportunities to my civilian job. As well as the ability to use and develop my specialist skills in challenging and unique environments, it provides the opportunity to undertake training opportunities abroad and the different challenges that present.  

“I have been fortunate to be able to travel the world supporting Frontline members of the armed forces, providing them with the assurance and reassurance that as a team they will get the highest possible standards of care." 

Throughout his career in the Army Reserves, Mal has developed an invaluable skillset that not only benefits him as an Army Reservist but also as an Emergency Nurse Practitioner at UHW.  

“I have learnt and developed many clinical skills as a reservist. Communication, leadership, team working and problem-solving are just some of them," he said. 

“I have to take charge in difficult and stressful situations remaining calm at all times. Being able to communicate effectively with my chain of command has benefitted me both in the reserves and in my civilian role.” 

For Mal, one of the biggest rewards of being an Army Reservist is being able to back to communities.  

He said: "As well as the fantastic opportunities I have had, there’s a great feeling of satisfaction and achievement that the whole team pulls together to focus on providing world-leading care in austere environments.”