Page 5 - RADC Bulletin 2022

requirement and there is pressure (as
there ever was) on firm base organisation (together delivering a Joint Medical Workforce Requirement). Throughout
these discussions information has been continuously fed up the Chains of Command of both Army and UKStratCom (through
HQ DMS). There has been much interaction between my other single Service colleagues and CDO(D), especially in reference to
the firm base requirement for uniformed personnel, a capability that all the Dental Chiefs are agreed must remain in order to meet Defence requirements.
We are a small but proud Corps and whilst I am fiercely protective of the RADC’s heritage we must also look to understand not only how we fit with modern dental healthcare delivery and how this is likely
to evolve over the next decade but also
how we can best influence such delivery
in the “Land Environment”. This is our speciality environment where the Army
has lead and it is with the Army I believe our best interests lie. Project VICTORIA
has been the ongoing discussions on the future construct of the AMS and how its four Corps should progress. This work
was initiated by ACGS and following initial recommendations in 2021 this evolved into Project Victoria Next Steps (PjV N-S). A Tiger Team assembled in Sep 22 which delivered roadshows at multiple AMS sites so the views of individuals from all ranks and Corps including the Veteran community could be reached and a concurrent Delphi Study was initiated in Sep 22 for targeted individual views as well as semi-structured
EDITORIAL
Editorial
Major Verity Brown
This Bulletin is published just a few months after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. It is absolutely appropriate that we pay tribute to such an incredible woman with our cover. I have no doubt that many of our readers will have some fond memories of serving during her long reign.
This edition is truly a team effort. Not
only have so many different members of the Corps contributed articles this year, but some well-known contributors have been able to take a year off (you know who you are!). I look forward to getting more of the RADC involved next year. This publication only happens when we all chip in so if you haven’t written an article in a while- watch out- the editing team is coming for you. Now that LCpl London has promoted (congratulations!) I am thrilled to welcome Cpl Abigail Robinson to the team. Cpl Robinson and I look forward to knocking on your virtual doors next year.
interviews of personalities from all four AMS Corps. We are now at the point (at time
of writing) where Senior Health Advisor (Army) (SHA(A)) as Hd AMS is preparing
a written brief to ACGS to be submitted in Jan 23 for the Army Executive Committee (ExCo) before going before the Executive Committee of the Army Board (ECAB) to make a decision. Much of this work remains LIMDIS and we do not yet know when Army HQ will make their decision and what the outcome will be. Whatever the decision,
I know I can as ever rely upon you all to continue to move forward together. This year we have a new form of
Career Management (CM), Unified Career Management, run on a Tri-Service basis by UKStratCom rather than the single Services. As with most new processes there will be teething issues and I know that I can trust
in your patience as any potential issues are worked through, but please do keep your chains of command informed of any such problems if they do occur as CM can be a challenging and emotive issue. This does not yet affect the RADC Reserves but we will be kept informed if changes are required.
There have also been changes in Army and AMS HQs such that within the Army space Dentistry is now seen as one of six Disciplines, each having their own OF5 Chief. Along with this the excellent work delivered by the incumbents of the SO2 Plans and Dental Business Requirements since its de-enrichment from SO1 in 2016 has been of such a high standard that it has proved the requirement for an SO1 within Army HQ again which now sees Lt Col
They say it takes a village to raise a child and this baby is no exception. The start of the year saw Maj Serena Darke and LCpl Charlotte London team up to throw some energy behind the 2022 edition (thank you both) before I landed in the editor’s (saddle) seat at Dental Centre Sandhurst. The baton has been passed.
We have been working with our AMS ‘cousins’ in the RAVC and QARANC to scope out changes we can make to further develop the Bulletin. None of this development could occur without the team from Crest. Jayne and her Crest colleagues have been so patient and committed to getting our Bulletin just right. Thank you both.
We have even been fortunate enough to have Maj Sarah Armstrong apply her impressive attention to detail when proof- reading the articles. Thank you, Sarah, for using your KIT days to benefit the RADC- I am so grateful you joined the team.
Not to summon a chorus of melancholy
Christoph Harper as the SO1 Healthcare Regulation, Profession and Dental Regulation and Training, a serious Staff role for Clinical RADC DOs. Such roles, and those that come as secondary duties are vital for providing what the Army, our Corps and personnel require. I must also thank
the work performed by our RADC DN Head of Cadre, Lt Col Charlie Winship especially as she continued in this secondary role throughout her most recent Maternity Leave.
The RADC Bulletin always expresses the varied and positive experiences of our RADC personnel and this year is no exception.
My thanks go to the editorial team of Maj Verity Brown, ably assisted by Cpl Charlotte London who have delivered this year’s excellent edition. I must at this point also express my thanks to Maj Sarah Armstrong who has utilised her Keeping in Touch Days to judiciously proof-read the articles in this Bulletin.
I wish to thank our outgoing Col Commandant Col (Rtd) Irene Amberton
for all hard work and commitment during her tenure and I am exceedingly pleased to welcome Maj Gen (Rtd) Ewan Carmichael as her replacement, alongside this year’s Col Commandant Col Katherine Richardson.
Finally, may I express a wish again for you all to continue to contribute to the RADC Bulletin as it promotes exactly what our RADC personnel continue to do exceedingly well.
I wish you all a happy and splendid 2023. Please enjoy your Bulletin.
Ex Dentibus Ensis
violins but being Bulletin Editor really is a whopper of a secondary duty, it takes more hours than I care to ponder. I have no idea how Serena managed to get an edition out while on parental leave. I want to formally reflect on this astonishing achievement and, in case no one thanked you at the time, thank you Serena. You kept the RADC Bulletin on track at times when sleep was a luxury.
I feel like there is a golden thread running through the Bulletin team but maybe I’ll leave pulling at said thread to the Gender Study team...
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