Page 4 - QARANC Vol 20 No 3 2023

4 The Gazette QARANC Association
‘As a Corps we excel and contribute at all levels’
It is a great honour to take on the role of Chief Nursing Officer (Army) (CNO(A)) and President of the QARANC Association. It is particularly fitting being appointed in the 100th Year of the Male Nurse and the 30th Anniversary of Male Nurses joining the QARANC.
I joined the Army in 1988 and did my Nurse training in Woolwich, qualifying in 1992. I have served as a General Nurse across many Military Hospitals deploying to Bosnia and on Op TELIC 1. Since 2005 I have worked in the Command and Staff arena, working in 2 Medical Brigade, Army HQ and Defence Primary Health Care.
Key moments were becoming the OC of 16 Squadron 3, Medical Regiment where I led the Squadron on Op HERRICK 12 and then becoming the
For my first official duty I had the privilege
to attend the HCA graduation parade
at DMS Whittington. It was a great honour to be the Inspecting Officer of the graduating soldiers and award the prizes
CO of 5 Armoured Medical Regiment in 2015. I am now the CO of 212 Field Hospital in Sheffield whilst also fulfilling the additional role of CNO(A).
My first task is to thank Col Alison Farmer ARRC for her excellent work as CNO(A), she has been pivotal in shaping and influencing the future of Army Nursing. Her dedication and Service to the Corps over her Military career has been superb epitomised by her time as CNO(A). We all wish her well.
Congratulations are extended to members of the Corps recognised in the New Year’s Honours List 2023. This includes our Colonel Commandant, Carol Kefford, who received an OBE for her dedication to nursing, within her civilian role, and those who received RRC and ARRC awards. Congratulations also to those selected for promotion, to LCpl, WO1, Maj and Col, since the last edition of the Gazette, across the Regular and Reserve Forces. It is so rewarding to see our nurses’ talents and hard work recognised.
Since the last edition we have had the centenary celebration of the Male nurse where our Colonel-in- Chief, HRH Countess of Wessex GCVO, graciously joined our celebration at the Royal Victoria Chapel, Netley. It was a fitting location and an excellent day as highlighted in an article in this edition.
For my first official duty I had the privilege to attend the HCA graduation parade at DMS Whittington. It was a great honour to be the Inspecting Officer of the graduating soldiers and award the prizes. I also welcome and congratulate the new nurses from cohort 0120 who graduated in January.
This year is already reflecting ‘change’ that is going to influence the future of the Corps (‘more change’ I hear you say). There will be the Coronation of our new Commander-in-Chief, HM King Charles III, on 6 May 2023. The QARANC will have a marching contingent of Regular and Reserve personnel, which will be a proud moment for them all, representing the Corps at such a significant event.
Other change comes in the shape of Project VICTORIA Next Steps. The consultation across all ranks has been completed and the Corps Chiefs have deliberated. The agreed recommendations will be taken to the Army Senior Leadership by June 2023.
There is also the AMS Healthcare Review which is focusing on the next few years to 2030. This allows for the Nursing Review to be integrated into the next generation of healthcare delivery, a great opportunity to advance Nursing and Healthcare Assistants.
As a Corps we excel and contribute at all levels in the Regular and Reserve Service at home and on Operations. But again, the QARANC personnel have continued to provide care to their patients and support those that give that care.
We continue to deliver effective healthcare on Operations, personnel have deployed around the world of note is the article on the deployment to Mali. QAs continue to do extraordinary things be it climbing Mt Everest, rowing around Great Britain