Page 151 - Mind, Body and Spirit No. 105 2021/22

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of our many local beaches and as summer is in sight, our ERIs are already planning plenty of other white space activities.
As we look forward to the coming years, the uncertainty of whether the RRU is staying or going has been a constant struggle for information. With MOD St Athan East camp closing and moving, we are left to fend for ourselves with the possibility of no accommodation, no messing and as such – no patients to treat. Tirelessly, we have worked to find a solution with many options coming and going faster than the sun appears in Wales, there is still hope for RRU St Athan to maintain its support for South and West Wales MOD personnel.
I have now entered my 2nd year in post and can honestly say it has been a fantastic post (so far) – though the workload is obscure due to only 2 of the staff being military, I have found new skills and enhanced old ones and my desk jockey ability is definitely top tier. During this time, I created a peripatetic clinic at PCRF Chepstow to assist the understaffed and overpopulated physio dept, which ensured my clinical skillset maintained competency and the force capability of 1 Rifles was maintained effectively. I look forward to my remaining time in post and the challenges it might present, I will welcome them with open arms.
RRU Team lead by Maj Short & SSgt Woodhead
COLCHESTER REGIONAL REHABILITATION UNIT (RRU)
Sgt (SI) D Boachie-Ansah RAPTC
Over the last year RRU Colchester has undergone numerous changes due to the challenges posed by COVID -19. Delivery of rehabilitation courses remained volatile due to
the frequent changes to COVID restriction guidelines. Three-week rehabilitation courses were reduced to week-long courses at the height of the pandemic. This was done to minimise patient-to- patient contact by reducing the footprint at the RRU and to strictly adhere to social distancing guidelines.
Following the end of national restrictions in Feb 22, the RRU commenced the first 3-week course in 2 years.
The RRU has seen a huge turnover of all military Staff including Maj R Ferry RAMC (OC RRU) and WO2 (QMSI) I Tosh RAPTC, who have both left the Army and transitioned well into civilian life.
Despite these changes, the RRU has organised and hosted numerous Regional In-Service Training sessions. These training sessions have served as a great avenue to share best practices between regional Primary Care Rehabilitation Facilities (PCRFs) and the RRU.
The Unit is one of seven chosen to take part in a Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) study headed by the Defence Medical
Rehabilitation Centre, Stanford Hall. The study seeks to focus on heavy load resistance training versus low load blood flow restriction training.
In the meantime, Colchester RRU is looking forward to the arrival of a new Officer Commanding (OC) and a new Regional Training Specialist Advisor (RTSA), all in the spirit of embracing the wheel of change.
Sgt (SI) Hussell preparing to show off his agility skills
Sgt (SI) Hussell demonstrates the Casualty Drag during In Service Training