Olympic champion Dalton Grant inspires diversity with military medics for Commonwealth Day

Olympic high jumper Dalton Grant joined Portsmouth-based military medics to celebrate their Commonwealth heritage at an International Day event at HMS Excellent.

Olympic champion Dalton Grant inspires diversity with military medics for Commonwealth Day     Olympic high jumper Dalton Grant joined Portsmouth-based military medics to celebrate their Commonwealth heritage at an International Day event at HMS Excellent.  Dalton met members of the Defence Medical Group South, a tri-service team based at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham, to celebrate the cultural heritage of the doctors and nurses who originate from more than 18 different countries from the Commonwealth and the rest of the world.  Dalton, a three times Olympian and European/Commonwealth champion, said: “Competitive sport has similar values to the Armed Forces. It teaches you discipline, teamwork and confidence.   “Be proud that you can share your cultures and experiences . This will allow you to be the best that you can be. Having confidence, being proud of your achievements and knowing yourself will help you combat any negative behaviour, rise above racism, and live honestly with integrity.”  The uniformed and civilian medical and dental personnel from all three services are known collectively as the Defence Medical Services (DMS).  Doctors, Nurses and other Allied Health Care professionals from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force are part of the team at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham.  This allows them to have appropriate clinical exposure and experiences to enable to carry out their military commitments anywhere around the world.  Laboratory Medical Technician Shannel James joined the Royal Navy from St Vincent and the Grenadines in September 2006 as a medical assistant, before transferring to work as a Royal Navy biomedical scientist in 2013.  She said: “The International Day was a beautiful event. When diversity and inclusion is involved there is a better understanding – you get to know each other better and get along as a team.  “It’s been a great opportunity to represent my country today.”  Staff from the Defence Medical Group South have been deployed in support of the Ebola outbreak in Africa, on board Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Argus and other military exercises and deployments around the world.Dalton met members of the Defence Medical Group South, a tri-service team based at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham, to celebrate the cultural heritage of the doctors and nurses who originate from more than 18 different countries from the Commonwealth and the rest of the world.

Dalton, a three times Olympian and European/Commonwealth champion, said: “Competitive sport has similar values to the Armed Forces. It teaches you discipline, teamwork and confidence. 

“Be proud that you can share your cultures and experiences . This will allow you to be the best that you can be. Having confidence, being proud of your achievements and knowing yourself will help you combat any negative behaviour, rise above racism, and live honestly with integrity.”

The uniformed and civilian medical and dental personnel from all three services are known collectively as the Defence Medical Services (DMS).

Doctors, Nurses and other Allied Health Care professionals from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force are part of the team at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham.

This allows them to have appropriate clinical exposure and experiences to enable to carry out their military commitments anywhere around the world.

Laboratory Medical Technician Shannel James joined the Royal Navy from St Vincent and the Grenadines in September 2006 as a medical assistant, before transferring to work as a Royal Navy biomedical scientist in 2013.

She said: “The International Day was a beautiful event. When diversity and inclusion is involved there is a better understanding – you get to know each other better and get along as a team.

“It’s been a great opportunity to represent my country today.

”Staff from the Defence Medical Group South have been deployed in support of the Ebola outbreak in Africa, on board Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Argus and other military exercises and deployments around the world.

The International Day was a beautiful event. When diversity and inclusion is involved, there is a better understanding – you get to know each other better and get along as a team

Laboratory Medical Technician Shannel James, Defence Medical Group South