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PRIMARY CARE REHABILITATION FACILITY (PCRF) LARKHILL
PCRF Larkhill sits within the centre of Larkhill Garrison, home of the Royal Artillery. It serves to give
physiotherapy and exercise rehabilitation to all 6 Regiments co-located in the Garrison; including the School of Artillery, a phase 2 establishment. In addition to physiotherapy and exercises rehabilitation the team of 6 physios and 4 ERIs support individual units with CMCRs and other engagements with the Mainstream counterparts to enhance PD capabilities in the Level 1 and Level 2 PT space. The PCRF delivers conventional primary care, seeing a range of Service Personnel (SP) with acute to long term injuries and provide class therapy for patients to enhance the rehabilitation pathway.
This is my second role as an ERI after leaving PCRF Tidworth in August 2023. The clinical practice and experienced gained there enabled a swift insert into PCRF Larkhill. The relationship in the SW remains strong with other PCRFs and we explore group training and Regional In-Service Training (RIST) together to share best practice. PCRF Larkhill ERIs attended a training day set up by Sgt (SI) J Exton where David Grey came to deliver a workshop on his experiences
Sgt (SI) C Scott RAPTC
Sgt (SI) C Scott Deadlift World Record Attempt – ASPT
as a clinical practitioner to elite sports in Ireland. The relationships with units within the Garrison expand past the clinical care where 19 Regt RA invited the department to visit the new Archer platform, the incoming Artillery capability. This allows our civilian clinicians to see more of what the occupational demands are for the SP they are responsible for.
In addition to the ERI role, I have taken part in RAPTC team records hosted by SSgt (SSI) M Henshaw where a team of 12 RAPTCIs completed a 1-hour World Record attempt for most weight lifted. With 103kg on the bar, 11 reps must be completed every 20 seconds for the
ERI Charlotte Charwin on ERI training day hosted by PCRF Tidworth
duration of the hour. A record that felt intensely in the following days. I have also assisted in training days to our ever- growing British Army Warrior Fitness (BAWF) community within the Southwest where SSgt (SSI) L Hilson hosted a day of training and teaching to all those SP wanting to progress in the BAWF space.
PCRF Larkhill has been a fantastic second post as an ERI, where the experience and knowledge of the entire civilian team has enhanced my clinical and personal skills massively. I look forward to what the next year will entail.
PRIMARY CARE REHABILITATION FACILITY (PCRF) LISBURN
Primary Care Rehabilitation Facility (PCRF) Lisburn is at the forefront of delivering healthcare to the
garrison, serving 2 RIFLES, 38 (Irish) Brigade, Northern Ireland Garrison Support Unit (NIGSU) and an array of other support units and reservists within the region. The facility is staffed by Gary Callaghan, a full-time physiotherapist, who has committed over twenty-one years to Defence rehabilitation; Claire Samways, a part-time physiotherapist, and Nicci, who runs the administration of the facility seamlessly. Between them all, they have worked within Defence Rehabilitation for over 60 years, supporting the military in operations with an industrious attitude.
I arrived as the Exercise Rehabilitation Instructor (ERI) in February 2024. After completing my Royal Army Physical Training Corp Instructor (RAPTCI) Course last June and the Joint Service Exercise Rehabilitation Instructor (JSERI) Course in December. Since arriving I have been grateful that I’ve been afforded the opportunity to be in such a positive environment in which
Sgt (SI) A Gilmour RAPTC
I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge from the team, and to be in a country I’ve never had the pleasure of experiencing.
Upon arriving, it was a quiet first few weeks, 2 RIFLES had just returned from Op INTERFLEX in Salisbury. Since they’re return, the tempo has gradually increased with cadres on-going, trips to Belize and a trip to Kenya on the forecast later in the year. Naturally, as the tempo has increased, Service Personnel (SP) have picked up injuries, seeing our caseload increase.
The facilities within the PCRF are one of the best in the province, having recently had an uplift during Sgt (SI) Warren Jones’s tenure. This has given SP a fantastic opportunity to deal with their injuries and receive the best level of patient care with new equipment available to them, backed by a proficient, dedicated and knowledgeable team.
With summer soon upon us, and being appointed as the Regional Swimming Secretary, I look forward to kickstarting the appointment with an event in
PCRF Lisburn Gymnasium
the summer, hopefully bringing more interaction from the Units stationed here and bringing out some hidden talents for the Army Championships.
Having only just been posted to Northern Ireland, I am already excited for the next three years being stationed here. The country has a magnitude of options with Belfast a 10-minute train journey away, the Mourne Mountains down the road for any keen hikers and lots of areas to explore with beautiful sights, the best of all worlds. I couldn’t have asked for a better first posting and I look forward to making a positive impact in the Region, both as an RAPTCI and ERI.