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RRU Bulford had a recent influx of new staff. We said our goodbyes to WO2 (QMSI) Neil Craven and would
like to thank him for the support and mentorship he provided whilst in post. He has now passed the baton to WO2 (QMSI) Charlotte Spence, who has taken over the Regional Trade Specialist Adviser (RTSA) role as well as receiving her Member of the British Empire (MBE). We have also seen the arrival of Sgt (SI) Sabin Lawati, who joined us in January after finishing the Joint Service Exercise Rehabilitation Instructor (JS ERI) Course in Dec 23; he is already proving to be an asset to the team and a keen training partner for some nasty hill running.
While the new staff get acquainted with life at the RRU, business has continued as usual, despite a leaking roof and the occasional lightning strike wiping out our computers, we have continued to have a large impact supporting patients in the Central Wessex Region (CWX).
With Physio Emily Prior-Willeard at the head of Continuous Professional Development (CPD), the team have been involved in the Lower Back Pain working group which provided some useful insights into management of a difficult multi-faceted issue. We have a number of other CPD opportunities to look forward to this summer, including sleep and pain workshops, introduction to Watt bike training and the Regional In-Service Training, with a ‘Hot Topics’ theme.
The RRU Course itself has had a shift down from 3 to 2 weeks, this has involved some hard programming work from the department, however, the change has gone smoothly. ERI Mathew Taylor has taken this as an opportunity to update and improve our RRU Booklets along with implementing an Occupational Health Brief on the course with the aim of providing further clarity for Service
Sgt (SI) N O’Brien RAPTC
Who is going to carry the boats? Sgt (SI) N O’Brien getting his David Goggin’s on
Personnel regarding their medical gradings. Alongside this the team have also, both tested and implemented some very needed reflection activities into the course which so far have received positive reports. If anyone is interested, please feel free to check out our SharePoint or look up the ‘Blob Tree,’ which is one of our most popular reflective tools used for recognising or describing thoughts, feelings, goals, and actions.
Sgt (SI) Neon O’Brien has spent his time bluffing his way off courses and physing his little head off. This ‘Out of Office’ attitude has seen him complete the Army Learn to Row course as well as competing in the Army Indoor Rowing League (AIRL) male lightweight category placing 3rd overall. As well as taking over the role as RAPTC Cross Country team captain, Sgt O’Brien has been involved in the SW Festival of Sports as the Squash representative. In individual achievements he has recently achieved 2nd place in the Leaf Hill half marathon, with a personal best of 1 hour 25 minutes.
Sgt (SI) N O’Brien with the RAPTC Cross Country Team at the Army Inter Services 10K Championships
RTSA Note: Sgt O’Brien is of course not as work-shy as he would have you believe; without hesitation he took on the RTSA duties within the department and successfully completed the LEA inspection during the gapped period. He has continued to be a vital pillar of support while I navigate the delights of James Training, Equipment Care and, the very exciting, Health Care Governance.
Life at the RRU is not all clinical, this year the department has celebrated the birth of two healthy babies and two nuptials. Despite what you may have heard, teaching an RRU course is the new Maldives and perfect for a honeymoon destination.
For the second year running the ERIs have also supported our mainstream counterparts in the Women’s Festival of Sports, 5-a-side Football matches, and our staff have completed a visit to 19 Regt RA, giving us a wider understanding of local populations.
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REGIONAL REHABILITATION UNIT (RRU) BULFORD
Bulford Healthcare Facility staff
Bulford Healthcare Facility staff visit to Stonehenge