Nurse wins award for Kenyan aid mission

A nurse has been honoured with an award for exceptional service during a military exercise in Kenya.

Robin McMahon won the annual Military Nursing Award by the Worshipful Company of Nurses for his work bringing medical care to isolated communities in Laikipia and Samburu counties.

Mr McMahon, who works at Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital, was nominated for his "calm authority, professional expertise and unwavering compassion", the hospital's trust said.

He said his work there was "extremely rewarding" and the recognition "came completely out of the blue".

Mr McMahon served in the Army Reserves for 15 years with 306 Hospital Support Regiment and is the defence specialist advisor, covering paediatric nursing provision and innovation across the Army, Navy and Royal Air Force.

The senior neonatal nurse practitioner joined soldiers, nurses, paramedics and a physiotherapist to bring the medical care to the Kenyan communities.

He was nominated by Col Kevin Forbes, commanding officer of 306 Hospital Support Regiment, who highlighted his "cultural sensitivity and mission-first approach" during a challenging deployment.

He received the award a ceremony at Grocers' Hall in London on 20 November.

"My focus was simply to ensure a successful deployment to Kenya and to safeguard the wellbeing of our team, so this recognition came completely out of the blue," Mr McMahon said.

"Kenya was a very remote working environment. The poverty was extreme, yet the work was incredibly rewarding. The children, in particular, were so welcoming and delighted to see us."

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