Page 29 - QARANC Vol 14 No 9 2014

THE GAZETTE QARANC 27
Nursing Officer for the R3 MTF on Op Herrick.”
WO1 Shaun Reeves RSM of 34 FH stated: “The Mission Specific Hospital exercises are an invaluable element of the Force Generation pathway for any deployable Hospital/ Med Group. The process produces an opportunity for the solidification of a group that has been assembled from over forty different units. The HOSPEX series develops in a crawl, walk, run sequence but applies the right amount of pressure throughout which culminates in a “bad day” that robustly examines capability, capacity, leadership and temperament
alike.”
A Statement from Cpl Spark RAF and Cpl Baynes (FN) from the ASU: “The MSV allowed us to meet the rest of DAS and the Role 3 staff prior to deployment which has helped us work as team, here in the ASU. The knowledge the DS passed on to us on MSV was invaluable and allowed us to slot into our roles here at the R3 more efficiently.
A few of us got exposure to simulated Tactical CCAST flights on a PUMA. Since being on deployment the occasion has arisen where CCAST has required assistance from ASU Flight Nurses, and the exposure at MSV gave us the confidence to fulfil this role. Throughout the MSV we took turns in taking charge of the ASU, which gave us an insight in to the responsibilities of the Coordinator role. This was the first ever time that the ASU was replicated; in that it was positioned at the end of the ward, instead of being in a separate location. This change has been by far the most beneficial as it gave us the opportunity to simulate real time scenarios. This new location has enhanced communication with the ward staff and enabled the ward staff to gain more insight into the role and function of the ASU.”
Although with the drawdown of Op Herrick and the final HOSPEX in its current construct as taken place, activity at AMSTC and 2 Med Bde has continued and will continue to develop in the future. A five year plan will see medical training activity increase with the current drive aimed towards contingency operations. Therefore the current Hospital Trainer at AMSTC will shortly be reconfigured to mirror the layout of a Very High Readiness (VHR) hospital in preparation for training future contingency operations as required.
Capt G Beedie QARANC SO3 Clin, AMSTC
Graduation
– a special day
Staff and Students from the Defence School of Healthcare Education (DSHE) took their place alongside their civilian counterparts to share in the occasion of Birmingham City University, Faculty of Health Graduation, which took place on 10 March 2014 at Symphony Hall. Those graduating included undergraduate pre-registration Nurses and Allied Healthcare Professionals and post-registration students from across healthcare professions within the Defence Medical Services, including Reservists.
Graduation is a special day for a whole host of different people, for a whole host of different reasons. For those graduating, the ceremony provides an opportunity for their hard work and achievements to be recognised and rewarded in front of their peers, family and friends. And for some military students Graduation represents a professional rite of passage as they join not only their respective healthcare profession as Nurses, Operating Department Practitioners, Biomedical scientists and Radiographers but also become fully fledged members of their Service.
As members of the Armed forces we are familiar with pomp and ceremony however Graduation is something quite special for staff too, as it affords you the opportunity to share in the success of your students, as students’ success is the ultimate reward for any member of academic or supporting staff, after all it is our raison d’être. In something akin to parental pride we watch as our students process one by one across the stage in their academic robes, looking every inch the professional as they are awarded their degree or diploma.
This year we were delighted to secure Birmingham’s new city library to host a reception, where graduates, their friends and family were joined by DSHE staff and dignitaries from the Defence Medical Services including The Dean, and the Directors of Royal Navy and Army Nursing, respectively, to partake in refreshments and enjoy a specially commissioned graduation cake (designed by staff at DSHE). In recognition of achieving a first Class Honours Degree in Nursing, Cpl Coats, PMRAFNS had the honour of cutting the cake.
The relaxed atmosphere of the reception allowed staff and former students to
mingle and engage in the all-
important Graduation photo
opportunity, for which special
thanks must be given to Mr Freddie Brown, resident JSU photographer, as his services proved very popular. I would also like to thank Mr Glyn Ireland (QM Dept JSU, DMS (W)) for generously providing the sword used in the cutting of the cake. An enjoyable day
was had by all and the good news for
staff at the Department of Healthcare
Education is we get to do it all again
in January 2015 as we celebrate
the academic success of our
current students.
Maj Debbie O’Grady