Page 179 - MBS 2022/23

With a Garrison of nearly 1400 personnel consisting of Phase 2 and Phase 3 soldiers, PCRF Blandford is never shy of patients wanting to rehabilitate and get back amongst Mainstream PT and/or pursue their career and personal goals. The staff within the PCRF at Blandford Garrison provide primary care and treatment to numerous units across the Garrison which include Blandford Garrison Support Unit (BGSU), Defence School of Communication Information Systems (DSCIS), 11th Signal Regiment, 13th Signal Regiment and 280 NATO Signal Squadron, who are held at a R2 readiness. Popular injury trends continue to be dominated by overuse and anterior cruciate ligament injuries, with Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) and Anterior Talo-Fibular Ligament (ATFL) the most prevalent.
Our team at the time of writing this is six strong, consisting of a new OC; Capt Taylor RAMC, three civilian physios and two RAPTC ERIs (SSgt/Sgt). It continues to be a great environment to work in and the physios are always calling on SSgt (SSI) Bedford and myself to try new cake recipes.
The PCRF continues to remain innovative, the injury prevention presentation introduced last year in the Garrison arrival package has enabled better education to Phase 2 trainees on how to reduce chances of injury and receives a lot of buy-in for those in attendance and feedback shows the trainees feel it is beneficial and informative. Furthermore, the PCRF is undergoing structural changes and those who have served in the Sigs or have been based here will know that our office was in the bar (no beer) of
Sgt (SI) C McCabe RAPTC
Sgt (SI) McCabe - It wasn’t a puddle!
the old youth club. Work has begun and finances secured to uplift the building into a rehab suite, allowing us as a department to provide improved rehabilitative care that is necessary for a smooth transition back to Level 3 PT.
Outside of work, the department regularly found time for team-building exercises. Escape rooms, clay making (weren’t my idea), water obstacle courses, good food and a few Guinness’s are some examples of how we keep a healthy working environment. Additionally, despite our busy calendars, SSgt (SSI) Bedford still
Sgt (SI) McCabe - Flag bearing duties for the Carabao Cup Final
finds time for a round of golf and I still manage to escape to take part in Corps and Army Masters Football.
As the PCRF moves from strength- to-strength, we look forward to the development of the new rehab suite, which will create a greater atmosphere and training environment for the Garrison. PCRF Blandford still remains a very rewarding and busy environment to work in and as we progress through 2023, there’s plenty of work, sport, and officiating commitments to look forward to.
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PRIMARY CARE REHABILITATION FACILITY BLANDFORD
PRIMARY CARE REHABILITATION FACILITY BOVINGTON
Assigned to PCRF Bovington in August 2018, I am privileged to be posted here for a second time, albeit in the role of the Exercise Rehabilitation Instructor (ERI). Much of the focus within the Combat Manoeuvre Centre (CMC) and more specifically, the Initial Trade Trainees (ITTs) has centred on the reconfiguration of the physical development plan, with training facilities and equipment receiving a generous uplift to accommodate the increased training demands placed on the CMC. So far, injury rates have been low,
SSgt (SSI) S Leng RAPTC
and turnaround has been quick when patients (in particular ITTs) have been referred to the PCRF as a result of injuries sustained during physical training, with much credit being given to WO2 (QMSI) Guyton RAPTC and his team within the Stanley Barracks Gymnasium for their progressive structure and delivery of physical training towards the Royal Armoured Corps (RAC) Soldier.
The pace of life within Bovington can be extremely hectic at times, with initial trade training taking place without a
break throughout the calendar year, other than for two weeks at Christmas. In addition to the above, the PCRF is also responsible for the rehabilitation care pathway of the Armoured Support Group: Royal Marines, Permanent Staff (with cap badges varying across the Army) and the Royal Yeomanry. Despite at times work being hectic, I was able to undertake adventurous training, support RAPTC events and participate in RAPTC Football on a regular basis, which has enabled me to strike a fine balance to ensure the needs of all are met.