THE British Army will hold two recruitment days at Poole Hospital next week.

Medical professionals and non-clinical support staff are needed to bolster the army’s 243 Field Hospital Reserve Unit.

The event follows the major ‘rebranding’ of the British Army and the launch of a national campaign, sanctioned by top brass to attract more part-time soldiers into the ranks.

The latest figures suggest army reservist recruitment has stalled – with numbers rising from 19,290 in October 2013 to just 19,310 in 2014.

This represents an increase of just 20 reservists, despite targets to double the size of the army reserves to 30,000 by 2018.

Meanwhile, the army is keen to point out new research, commissioned as part of their recruitment campaign, that ‘reveals more than one in five people in Dorset and the South West feel that challenge and excitement are missing from their day job’.

Army recruiting and training division director general, Major General Chris Tickell, said: “This research tells us that people from Dorset feel their jobs are lacking challenge, excitement, the opportunity to travel and a clear long-term career path– all are available at a world-class standard with the army reserve.”

The event at Poole Hospital has been organised to recruit healthcare professionals from all clinical specialities and grades. There are also opportunities for support staff such as mechanics, HR administrators and chefs.

A British Army reservist’s starting pay begins at £36.38 a day, rising to £63.32 if they become an officer.

Under the government’s strategic defence and security review the UK’s armed forces, including reservists, is being cut to 142,000 by 2020. This plan includes reducing the size of the army from 102,000 to just 82,000 over 10 years.

Events will be held at Poole Hospital on Tuesday, February 24 and Wednesday, February 25, between 10am and 3pm.