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I think it’s safe to say there have been some very testing times for all during the transition and we have all faced times of adversity. Many involved have been required to step outside of their comfort zone and quickly had to get to grips with tasks and roles that they might not be so accustomed to.
One of the more enjoyable tasks which was a little more familiar to us as ERIs was the design and set up of the gymnasiums. Given the nature of DMRC and its complex patients, establishing a functional facility was vital as this would allow us to deliver multiple courses at once, all under one roof. DMRC now has four gymnasiums; our largest gym is for Force-Generation patients, which include patients attending residential courses for injuries such as upper quadrant, spines and lower limbs.
The Force Generation gym is then broken down into the following areas, functional lifting area, weights and resistance training area, CV training area and is also complete with its own class therapy area. Complex Trauma have their own gymnasium now with S&C and CV training platforms. They also have a large gym floor space which is actually an official wheelchair basketball court. The Neurological team also have their own small discreet gym, accessible for Neuro patients only and finally the Lower limbs gym which is essentially a large open gym floor space, perfect for recreational and class therapy.
Yet to be used much but soon to become a fantastic assist is the 1km and 5km trim trail routes located around the site. Both complete with multiple obstacles installed by Beaver fit which offer challenging outdoor activities for our patients and staff. Additional to these routes we also have hand bike routes, which also double up as great routes for cycling, walking and running.
Despite the hard graft the team have put in over the past year, we have still found some time for a bit of R&R with some of the ERIs getting away on AT courses and supporting RAPTC and Army Sport. The ERIs also took the lead on organising this year’s Burns Night, which was a fantastic event, credit to SSgt’s Gledhill and Harrison for their efforts in making the night a real success.
In summary it’s been hard work but very much worth it, especially when you look around DMRC and see all the fantastic rehabilitation
Setting up F-Gen Gym (DMRC)
Site Photo – DMRC
that takes place here on a daily basis. The next 12 months for us will be focused around building upon the foundations we have already put in place and establishing a consistent and resilient service for our injured service personnel.
PRIMARY CARE REHABILITATION FACILITY BLANDFORD
Sgt (SI) J SHAW RAPTC
2018 has been a challenging yet highly successful first year as an Exercise Rehabilitation Instructor (ERI) at The Royal Corp of Signals, PCRF Blandford. Our team comprises
three part-time physiotherapists and two ERIs, overseen by Capt H Chandi of the RAMC. The rehabilitation of patients has been swift for their return to mainstream PT from which we have received many compliments. SSgt (SSI) M Potter RAPTC has been acting OC of the PCRF since July 18 due to Capt Chandi deploying as a physiotherapist on OP TRENTON to South Sudan.
Throughout this year, SSgt Potter and myself have come up with some fun and interesting stands for three of the Unit Heath Fairs ranging from information on balance and proprioception as well as strength training for SCR and PES. We have also organised and delivered an ‘Empowered in Sport’ week for Civil Servants based on the Garrison. The week was designed to offer Civil Servants an opportunity to try an activity or sport that they hadn’t tried before. We delivered lessons on functional strength training and sports nutrition, teaching from the basics
of the 7 primal movement patterns. Other activities included orienteering, a back-management class and circuit training.
A special mention to SSgt Potter who was awarded Royal Signals 2018 coach of the year for his efforts instructing on the Royal Signals Nordic skiing camp in Norway for the third year running. This year I have taken up open water competitive swimming and competed for the Army in a 5-kilometre event placing 3rd out of all three services.
As a department we organised and delivered Regional In-Service Training for Wessex region. The main focus of the days training was delivered by Doctor Anita Biswas on the role of the hormonal cycle in injury and illness in female soldiers. This was an interesting in-sight into how female soldiers could/ should be trained to get the most appropriate gains out of their physical fitness training.
We look forward to what will no doubt be another busy but surely enjoyable year.