| MILITARY HEALTH HEROES IN THE LIMELIGHT
The unsung heroes caring for Britain’s armed forces and veterans are being asked to step into the limelight.
The second annual Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards (MCHPA) were launched today by Scotland's Public Health Minister Shona Robison and UK Defence Secretary John Hutton. Both Ministers met patients and staff at Redford Barracks’ Medical Reception Station, where they toured the physiotherapy facilities used to help nurse injured servicemen and women back to health and fitness.
Celebrating the partnership between Britain's military and health care workers, the Awards are open to civilian health staff and military medics working within the Defence Medical Services, the NHS and the private or voluntary sector. They honour those who care for serving members of the UK armed forces at home and abroad, veterans and families.
Shona Robison said:
"The men and women who care for Britain's armed forces range from those who carry out life-saving surgery on operations in places like Afghanistan to those who provide ongoing, long-term rehabilitation here in the UK. Some of these doctors, nurses and other health professionals may be members of the forces themselves, while others are part of our NHS or even voluntarysector. What they have in common is that they provide outstanding care for those soldiers, sailors and airmen who risk their lives on our behalf.
"This is a true partnership. Our forces and veterans receive superb care from our NHS, while increasing numbers of doctors, nurses and other health professionals employed in the NHS are using their skills as military reservists – which in turn benefits they care they offer on return to our hospitals and health centres.
"Each and every one of them deserves our thanks and the MCHPA ceremony gives these often unsung heroes the credit they deserve. Scotland is proud to host these awards in just their second year and I'm confident that we can rise to the challenge.”
John Hutton, Secretary of State for Defence, said:
“These awards celebrate the achievements of the unsung heroes in the military and the NHS delivering outstanding medical care to our Armed Forces.
“By working hand in hand with the NHS we are able to deliver the medical care that our people need whether they are deployed on operations or at home.
“I am proud to say that wherever our personnel are they are supported by some of the most skilled and dedicated physical and mental healthcare professionals in the world.”
Lieutenant-Colonel Dr Simon Bloodworth is the MRS’s senior medical officer:
“Every day I see fantastic levels of care and professionalism provided to sick or wounded soldiers, by the doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and medical support staff here in Edinburgh.
“But we are just one part of a continuous chain of care for military people injured on operations, which is recognised internationally as being of the highest standard. We couldn’t achieve these standards without the invaluable support we receive from our colleagues in the NHS, some of whom put on uniforms themselves and serve as reservists, facing hardship and danger as they carry out their duties.
“The valuable skills they learn in places like Afghanistan and Iraq are then used back home, in their NHS day job.”
Perthshire doctor Sam Rawlinson won the 2008 award for Healthcare Reservist of the Year. His day job at Ninewells Hospital is clinical director for the East of Scotland blood transfusion service, but he has also commanded 225 Medical Regiment and 205 Scottish Field Hospital, and has deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan as the consultant advisor for transfusion medicine.
He said:
“I was delighted to receive the award last year on behalf of a whole team of people in the NHS and Army who support me and allow me to do these jobs.
“The experience I gain on operations is directly beneficial to my NHS day job, helping me to provide effective transfusion support to patients in Tayside. These awards are important as it gives us an opportunity to publically recognise the success of our partnership, and the healthcare provided to the armed forces and veterans.”
The Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards 2009 are hosted this year by the Scottish Government – one member of a partnership comprising the Ministry of Defence, the UK Department of Health, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for Northern Ireland.
BACKGROUND
The Awards are open to military or civilian members of the Defence Medical Services, NHS or independent sector healthcare professionals who, either on an individual or team basis, have benefited the care of a member(s) of the Armed Forces. This includes veterans or their families.
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
Supporting quotes are also available from Alan Johnson, English Secretary of State for Health; Michael McGimpsey, Northern Ireland Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety; and Edwina Hart AM MBE, Minister for Health and Social Services, Welsh Assembly Government.
Nominations open today, Thursday May 14. The closing date for applications is June 26 2009. Entrants can be self-nominated or entered by patients, colleagues or members of the public.
The Military and Civilian Health Partnerships Awards ceremony will take place on October 29, 2009 at Hopetoun House, Edinburgh.
Further information on the health partnership awards, including how to apply or nominate, can be found at www.militarycivilianhealthawards.org, or at 0131 244 0807.
Contact: Annalena Winslow: 0131 244 2797 / 07917 052 265
Sara Reed: 0131 310 2005 / 07747 767 963
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