MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
News Release (073/2008) issued by The Government News Network on 12
May 2008
The new national
Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards scheme were
launched today at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, opening the
nomination process for entries.
The health partnership awards will recognise the people, both
military and civilian, working within the Defence Medical
Services, NHS, charity and 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."
Adding his support the Health Secretary, Alan Johnson said:
"A close partnership exists between the NHS and the MOD to
ensure our service men and women receive an excellent level of
care. These awards will showcase examples of the most exceptional
work and highlight those successful partnerships that exist across
the UK between the MOD and the NHS."
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 position similar to those 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 and civilian members of the
Defence Medical Services, NHS or independent sector healthcare
professionals, as individuals and/or teams, 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. Launches also took place in Wales, Scotland and Northern
Ireland today.
5. The Military and Civilian Health Partnerships Awards ceremony
will take place on Thursday 23 October at the Royal Hospital
Chelsea, London.
6. The origins of the Royal Hospital Chelsea date back to the
17th century. Nowadays it provides accommodation and medical care
to retired soldiers of the British Army. It has a fully staffed
Infirmary and also runs an out-patient service for the Chelsea
Pensioners. http://www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk.
7. Further information on the health partnership awards,
including how to apply or nominate can be found at http://www.dmsd.mod.uk, the
Military and Civilian Health Partnership website. The helpline
number is 020 7807 8125.