Page 112 - RAPTC Number 102 2018/19

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REHABILITATION
JOINT SERVICES SCHOOL FOR EXERCISE REHABILITATION INSTRUCTORS (JSSERI)
Maj (MAA) (Jase) Hughes MSC BSC RAPTC
‘To my way of thinking, a disabled man who has achieved independence is no longer disabled’ – Douglas Bader
It has been another fluid year for the Cadre in three key areas; the Army ERI Cadre manning remains as buoyant as it has ever been, and this is based on current Service need, delivering
both at reach on Ops and back in firm base to full capacity. In addition, the training for the next generation of ERI has entered a new dimension, offering a brand new high tech blended learning environment. In its wake, the training is now breaking the ‘one size fits all’ model and taking the learning out of the classroom and allowing the student to learn anywhere, anytime, using multiple delivery platforms. Each of these translate into an effective ERI as a capability on the ground. The ERI as part of a Multi-Disciplinary Team is consistently delivering to help increase the Army’s Deployability statistics, and a great job they are doing too! Every corner of the Army is talking about the effect the ERI continues to have in added value.
The Cadre continues
to man its liability
to 100% in line with
the SMAA’s intent to
ensure the capability
is not only able to man
its Defence Primary
Healthcare posts, but
also to continue and
support Programme
THOR, Project 3,
which is employment
of Army ERIs forward
within Infantry units.
Manning the jobs is a
painstaking role and one
that has been shared
with WO1 (SMI) (Andy)
Balwah, a steep learning
curve for him, but one
that will stand him in good stead as he moves over to the dark side in the coming months; good luck Andy, you will need it!
As you read through the regional input you will note the dedication, clinical excellence our ERIs are providing, developing strong links with Mainstream counterparts to achieve a common goal in maintaining operational effectiveness of the Force. Moreover, each region continues its drive towards researching best practice development and guidelines provision, whilst still delivering the effect on the ground. Looking forward, the Cadre will continue to evolve not only as a capability, but also in its professional recognition within the civilian sector.
The Joint Services School for Exercise Rehabilitation Instructors (JSSERI)
The improvement of the JSSERI learning environment followed the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre’s (DMRC) transition to its new home in Stanford Hall (SH), in the Midlands. The £340M pound project was founded by the Duke of Westminster through his close affinity with the military, having served over 40yrs in the Reserve Forces. He donated the estate (145 hectares) with the Black Stork Charity established to raise and develop the project. The JSSERI moved to SH with DMRC establishing full operating capability in Sep 18, despite being mid-course, facing uncertainty
on the availability of accommodation and amidst arriving at a complete building site.
JSSERI’s new home resides in the main estate’s residence (the original building to the right of the picture below), coexisting with the DMRC HQ. In doing so, it has been provided with a mixture of cultural stately home features, blended with first-rate learning resources; excellent WIFI, state of the art SMART technology, IT and student iPads to support e-learning. To top it all off, with close relationships established with the Defence Medical Services HQ, at Whittington, the Design team there have given JSSERI a new corporate and copyright image, professionalising the look and feel of the JSSERI and its training resources.
The final piece is to note the staff churn, as WO1 (Steve) Lucas RAPTC left the service having planned and executed the JSSERI transition, moved to a new house, completed his MBA and got a job as a Practice Manager, all in a matter of months with a very young family. We wish him well! WO2 (Dan) Brown soon had to fill the breech due to an enforced period of gapping. He took on, not only the Army Tutor role, but also acted up as the TWO, which is no mean feat. ‘Stepped up to the plate’ he did,
motivated by the fact that the OC restricted his feeding times if he didn’t deliver the required outputs. Have you ever seen this boy eat; unbelievable, you are what you eat, and Shrek hasn’t got a look in! The Senior Tutor Maj (Anne) Vickerstaff RAMC moves on shortly on maternity leave. She is deserved of a mention in these notes because of her unstinting support in developing that which is now delivered here at the school. For a physio to come in and dedicate her personal time and effort into re-invigorating the course is exceptional and on behalf of the wider Cadre, I will be eternally grateful. I will reluctantly mention the RAF, purely because FS Turner was a former Marine, but he too has committed significantly to the development, management and execution of the course delivery. He too has stepped up to help the Army ‘stand the gaps’, all in a period of significant change management, even in his own life, where despite being under pressure at work, he was trying to organise his wedding.
As I move on, I have been blessed with a magnificent team, an extremely supportive Chain of Command that has allowed me to ensure the delivery of the ERI course is future proof and recognised for his role across Defence as a professional and worthwhile capability.
‘The standard you walk past without taking any action, is the standard you accept’ - CGS’ Intent 2017