Non Emergency Patient Transport Service (NEPTS) Patient Care Assistant and former Army Reservist, Simon Gould, has shared his story in Civvy Street Magazine.
Simon's Armed Forces career
Simon Gould joined the Army Reserve (formerly Territorial Army) in 1993, serving as a Reservist for 29 years.
As a Movement Controller, he attained the rank of Warrant Officer Class 1.
He balanced a variety of jobs (including a 10-year career with Greater Manchester Police) with his commitment to the Army, until he was discharged in 2022.
EMAS journey
Simon joined EMAS's NEPTS team in Lincolnshire as a Patient Care Assistant. He drives and provides care for patients who need specialist support to attend medical appointments. He ensures that each patient feels safe and supported, according to their personal and clinical needs.
"I joined EMAS as a patient care assistant because it’s a uniformed public service with a clear purpose, rank structure and opportunities to progress.
The job requires focus and discipline, and I also get to travel around the county and meet patients from all walks of life.
Without us, many patients would struggle to access medical appointments or get the treatment they need to recover from serious illness. Some people have a lot of anxiety about attending hospital, but we help them to feel at ease.
I know my job is hugely worthwhile and I make a difference to people’s lives every day."
NEPTS: Serving the community
NEPTS supports vulnerable people to access healthcare services by providing transportation and care for eligible patients in Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.
The service employs over 400 staff. As a team, they complete around 20,000 journeys per month (303,331 patient journeys during 2022/2023). The fleet of 120 vehicles is specially equipped to support patients with mobility needs and includes dementia-friendly features.
Read Simon's article in Civvy Street (May 2024; pp. 12-13).
EMAS is a Veteran Aware organisation and accredited with a Silver Award in the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
We employ many Reservists and are committed to supporting their annual training commitment.
Find out more