Page 154 - Mind, Body and Spirit No. 105 2021/22
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SSgt (SSI) M Combe representing the RAPTC at the Army 10km Championships
While the course continued to be delivered, the team was also placed at Readiness State (R3 10 Days) notice to move, to provide flexibility and support in the Defence response to the impact of the Omicron Variant on the NHS.
Under the supervision of WO2 (QMSI) R Hughes, Mr S Derby (Physio) and Sgt (SI) L Hampson, patients will have the option to participate in a clinical trial being held within the RRU on the use of blood flow restriction training.
The RRU welcomed Sgt (SI) L Hampson and says farewell and best wishes for the future to Sgt (SI) S Coleman as he transitions to civilian life. The RRU would like to extend its congratulations and best wishes to WO2 (QMSI) R Hughes on his promotion to WO1 (SMI) and as he departs for his new role as TSA Army within DMRC.
Elsewhere in the region, SSgt (SSI) M Combe is the ERI at PCRF Aldergrove and is entering his final year of a 24-year career, he is in the process of planning to move with his family to Australia, however he may settle in his homeland of Scotland, tough choice!
Like all, this year has been a challenging one for SSgt (SSI) Combe and the staff at PCRF Aldergrove, there has been a number of changes during this period with the restructuring of a number of Units that are based here, and a steady stream of new personnel being assigned into Aldergrove Flying Station. The PCRF staff, consisting of 2 Physiotherapists and one ERI, have been kept on their toes and the need for flexibility and the ability to adapt has been essential to continue to implement the best service possible to all personnel.
Since the relaxation of most restrictions in Northern Ireland from the COVID-19 pandemic a return to some normality to those serving at Flying Station Aldergrove has been welcome, this period allowed the PCRF to continually look at innovative ways to continue treating their population at risk. This included multiple options for a patient to be seen such as face-to-face, video, telephone call, and rehabilitation classes with various timings throughout the day thus allowing every opportunity for the patient to continue their rehabilitation pathway.
SSgt (SSI) Combe is a keen runner and has competed for the RAPTC and Army at Cross Country and road running for the past 5 seasons and this year he was successfully selected to compete for Northern Ireland Masters Cross Country Team in a race against The Republic of Ireland, he is also a member of the RAPTC team attempting to break the World Record of Land’s End to John O’Groats as a relay on foot in Apr 22.
As the Northern Ireland Cross Country Secretary for the past 3 years, SSgt (SSI) Combe has continued to build on the league with Covid Restrictions easing allowing for a full season of 8 races and a Championship which produced some keen Competition and the
opportunity for Individuals and Teams to enter the Army Cross Country Championships in Feb 22.
At PCRF Holywood SSgt (SSI) A Woodman explains there has been lots of change within Palace Barracks over the last 12 months, the SCOTS have now become the Rangers, they still spend more time out of their own beds than pop stars but they’ve a new beret to show for it. The two part-time physios departed in September, one to bathe in retirement and the other onto pastures new, only to be replaced temporarily by a stalwart of the Northern Ireland military scene Maj Pete Carol, although now he is a civilian physio by day and a Reservist by night.
The pace of life ebbs and flows on camp with different deployments for the Rangers and the influx of occasional reservist injuries. The facilities are great and the relationship with the gym next door and the medical centre are first class. Palace Barracks is one of the best locations I’ve ever been to for a military camp, it is 500m from a beautiful country park or only a few miles from the centre of Belfast, which is bustling since the end of the troubles, which seem a distance memory today.
I am due to leave this post in the summer after a short 2 years, all of which have been hindered by COVID, but which have not soured the enjoyment of this role, I would recommend it to any ERI looking for their next assignment.
Sgt (SI) W Jones explains PCRF Lisburn is a busy PCRF serving 2 RIFLES, 38 (IRISH) Brigade, Northern Ireland Garrison Support Unit and many other satellite and Reserve Units within the province. The PCRF is staffed by Gary, a full-time physio, a part- time physio Claire and Nicci the admin lady (the boss), between them they have worked within Defence Rehabilitation for fifty- eight years in various locations in support of Op BANNER. The year started quietly with the introduction of strict COVID-19 guidelines, which lulled me into a false sense of security. 2 RIFLES were due to deploy to Kenya for Ex ASKARI STORM, which at the time was planned for six weeks. Cue some changes in the abyss and the deployment turned into four months. I guess it’s safe to say no camp in the history of Defence had ever had so many acute onset lower back pain and a myriad of other ailments in such a short period of time.
The pace of life through the summer once they deployed reduced substantially which allowed a large amount of sporting fixtures to be conducted by Team NI, with good representation across the broad spectrum of events which are slightly less attended than a UK South event.
The location is that good I’ve decided to extend for a further period, don’t rule out NI for a posting, it’s described as the Germany or Hong Kong of the current Army and has a lot to offer, if you are into a slow pace of life.
The ERIs within Northern Ireland look forward to the challenges of the year ahead.
SSgt (SSI) A Woodman RAPTC receiving a Corps SM’s Coin