Page 60 - Mind, Body and Spirit 2016/17

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REGIONAL REHABILITATION UNIT ALDERGROVE
WO2 (QMSI) R Hughes RAPTC
It has been another busy year across DPHC (SNI) not mentioning saying farewell to WO2 (QMSI) CL Graham RAPTC who has completed his 22 year service and will now start a new life in
America. It has been the rst year that no new ERIs have been posted into or out of Northern Ireland which has been excellent for continuity of care both at PCRF and RRU level. Credit is due to Sgt (SI) A Woodman, not only was he the only ERI working at RRU Aldergrove and taking back to back courses but also deputising as the Regional Trade Specialist Advisor (RTSA) for 6 months whilst the post was gapped. Myself and the OC RRU are grateful that all of the ERIs are going the extra mile both in rehabilitation and RAPTC Corps business.
RRU Aldergrove continues to offer inpatient rehabilitation courses for Northern Ireland, which are held over a 3 week intense block, focusing patient’s education on programme design, exercise techniques, nutrition, pain management and relaxation. Concurrent to the courses, the RRU is also offering DO t course led by myself and Sgt (SI) Woodman and to date we have had 30 personnel on the course with a look to load another 30 personnel onto the course over the next year.
Sgt (SI) B Mairs, PCRF Aldergrove has just packed his bags for an 8 month deployment to BATUK on Ex ASKARI STORM, where he will be working to help reduce MSKIs for permanent staff and exercising troops.
Elsewhere in region, Sgt (SI) S Coleman RAPTC has certainly had a busy year at PCRF Lisburn. Thiepval barracks consists of a range of cap badges from Royal Signals to Royal Military Police, with the main Unit being 2 RIFLES. This year has seen the PCRF develop into a fantastic facility with a huge improvement in the clinical practice of the department. The key focus has been on
Sgt Coleman coaching S&C PCRF Lisburn
WO2 (QMSI) R Hughes RAPTC outside RRU Aldergrove
supplying Units with meaningful information on MSKIs, injury prevention and CoC education. PCRF Lisburn have adopted a range of research supported injury reporting strategies; this allows the PCRF to give useful, accurate and meaningful information to the Units on soldiers’ injuries and this can assist the Unit in employing preventative strategies. PCRF Lisburn has conducted research for 38 (Irish) Brigade which has looked into the link between age, BMI and injuries. The PCRF has also assisted with AAPTI development days and CoC injury prevention presentations, all of which has been extremely well received by the Units and Commanding Of cers.
Sgt (SI) J Gray RAPTC has had another busy year at PCRF Holywood. Palace barracks is the main hub for the Army Reserve in Northern Ireland with as many as 4 major Reserve Units utilising its infrastructure, most notably 152 Regt RLC, the main Regular Unit is 1st Bn Royal Regiment of Scotland (1SCOTS). This year has seen the PCRF developed from an adequately equipped facility to a state of the art rehabilitation centre, with investment in the strength and conditioning equipment really paying off. It has been a year of change here in terms of how the lodger Units are supported; taking a lead from Sgt (SI) Coleman and those at PCRF Lisburn. The aim has been to provide a more meaningful presence at Unit level providing information that the CoC can understand and utilise to better enable their injured soldiers to return to MFD status. This began with creating an injury process model based on Coleman (2016), Meeuwise et al (2007) highlighting intrinsic and extrinsic risks that may predispose the soldier to injury. By employing this common sense approach to planning and doing the basics well, it has enabled the 1 SCOTS to reduce injury rates signi cantly.
Sport has been huge within 38 (Irish) Brigade over this year, with triathlon and indoor rowing getting up there with the cross country league in attendance. The indoor rowing league has seen all ranks and cap badges participate, this has resulted in a healthy competitive environment for many soldiers, who may not have tried Indoor rowing previously. The increasing popularity of this challenging sport was supported with a 38 (Irish) Brigade indoor rowing competition, in which over 80 personnel participated. Triathlon in particular had fallen from grace but is now rmly re-established within the 38 (Irish) Brigade as a core sporting activity with average attendances of 50 competitors recruiting new talent and competing at Army and Inter-service level.
Over the next year 38 (Irish) Brigade will be as busy as ever with on-going role changes in the main Regular Units and the constant rotation of Reserve units coming on and off mobilisation. The ERIs look forward to the challenges ahead.