The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre VE Day Celebrations

Posted 7th May 2020

Kirsteen Scowcroft was inspired by her grandfather to join the RAF in 2000. She has served in Kosovo and now puts her armed forces skills to use as a member of our Digital Team here at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.

“My grandfather William (Bill) J Henderson was always a great inspiration to me. He’d served bravely in World War II as part of the Royal Navy with the Royal Marines and his efforts earned him, amongst other medals, the Burma Star. So it was no surprise to my family that, whilst I was at Strathclyde university Glasgow, I went along to Glasgow Armed Forces Careers Office and told them I wanted to work in a hospital as a Biomedical Scientist and in the military.

“I was already part of the TA Army Reserve in the Glasgow & Strathclyde Universities Officer Training Corps, which had taught me basic soldiering and leadership skills, so I was well placed to join the RAF in 2000 as a Biomedical Scientist.

“It was in the RAF that I met my husband John during Basic training in 2000. When the Iraq war began in 2003 and I was put on 48 hours’ notice to be deployed out there, so John and I cancelled our big white wedding in Scotland and obtained a special marriage license from West Minster Abbey, only issued in times of war. We were married within a week at St Luke’s Chapel on base at Royal Hospital Haslar in Gosport and a few days later, I was sent to Kosovo where I served for four months.

“Being in the Armed Forces prepares you for anything. It taught me to focus on solutions and work as a team. That’s why it’s been a brilliant spring board for my career in the NHS. I now work as a Business Change Manager in the Digital Team at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre; my training in leadership and management, my knowledge of clinical environments and my love of teamwork are what led me here.

“During the COVID-19 crisis, the Digital Servicesteam have made it possible for our colleagues to work from home, for our patients to see their consultants via video link and we’re working on making sure our new hospital in Liverpool is digitally-ready. I’m really proud of the contribution we’ve all made to tackle this crisis; my background in the RAF taught me to always be prepared, ready to go and the team have mobilised quickly to support our patients and colleagues.

“This VE Day, I’ll be remembering my Papa Bill and saying thank you for everything he and so many others sacrificed and fought for in WW2.”