The health partnership awards will recognise the people, both military and civilian, working within the Defence Medical Services, NHS, charity or private sector, and the excellent healthcare services they provide to UK Armed Forces, veterans and their dependants.
Supporting the new Awards Defence Secretary Des Browne said: “Those who provide medical care to our Armed Forces deserve this recognition. They are true professionals of the highest skill and expertise. Not only do they save lives, they provide outstanding care to Service Personnel whether on operations abroad or here in the UK, both during active service and thereafter.”
Welcoming the awards, Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said: “I welcome these awards which recognise the contribution that individuals and teams across the health and social care services make to the health and wellbeing of the military, their dependants and veterans.
“These awards provide an opportunity to acknowledge and value the clinical excellence provided by local staff involved in the healthcare of the UK Armed Forces. They seek to acknowledge individuals and teams for the exceptional work in promoting and maintaining the health of military personnel and raise awareness of veterans’ issues – to whom we owe so much!”
Also supporting the awards, Colonel Iain Moles, Commanding Officer of the TA 204 (North Irish) Field Hospital and GP in County Down, said: “Partnership between the healthcare services and the armed forces can be most obviously understood in terms of the excellent and diverse care provided by health and social care to our serviceman and women, veterans and their dependants. This support is profoundly appreciated, yet seldom receives the public recognition it so richly deserves. I am delighted to see these partnerships singled out for recognition. All of this is particularly pertinent at present with so many Northern Ireland Volunteer Reservists mobilised or about to deploy on operations.”
“Another dimension of this partnership is evident in the already significant and ever-increasing number of individuals – myself amongst them – who balance busy civilian careers in health with military medical service. That sharing of military and civilian skills and experience is proving highly productive to both sides of the partnership.”
Lieutenant Jim Berry 1st Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment, was severely injured when a grenade exploded in Afghanistan in 2006. A piece of shrapnel entered his right eye and went into his brain, causing him to lose the sight in that eye and suffer neurological problems caused from the path of the shrapnel. He had to learn to walk again, and has received rehabilitative treatment at Headley Court for the past 18 months. Speaking of his experience he said: “I can’t really remember what happened after the grenade went off, but I know I am alive because of the swift medical care I received both immediately on the ground in Sangin, and thereafter from the Army Medical Services and NHS.
“On returning to the UK I spent six weeks in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, before moving to Headley Court. The service I received there has been second to none; I learnt how to walk again and after only four months I was able to return to work to a similar position I held before. I look forward to returning to full duty abroad soon, and am extremely grateful to all who’ve helped me get this far.”
The awards scheme is a joint venture between the MOD, Department of Health, the Welsh Assembly, the Scottish Government and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for Northern Ireland. The MOD is the host department for 2008.
Notes to Editors
1. The awards are open to military or civilian members of the Defence Medical Services, NHS or independent sector healthcare professionals, either on an individual or team basis, who have benefited the care of a member(s) of the Armed Forces. This includes veterans or their dependants.
2. The eight categories are:
Innovation in Service Development Award
Education and Training Award
Deployed Healthcare Award
Health Improvement and Promotion Award
Mental Health Award
Healthcare Reservist of the Year
Care of Veterans Award
Team of the Year Award: Military and Civilian Health Partnership Award
3. The closing date for applications is 5 July, and people can self-nominate or be nominated for an award.
4. The Military and Civilian Health Partnerships Awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 23 October at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London.
5. Further information on the health partnership awards, including how to apply or nominate can be found at the Military and Civilian Health Partnership website
. The helpline number is 020 7807 8125.
6. For further information in London contact Vicky Beacon, Defence PR and Events, 020 7218 6162, vicky.beacon625@mod.uk or Tom Callagher, 020 7218 0341, tom.callagher880@mod.uk
7. For NI media queries, contact Sarah Williams, DHSSPS Information Office on 028 9052 2841 or 07791 149246. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.
8. For examples of individuals who have been involved in military operations contact Sarah Williams, DHSSPS Information Office.
