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DIRECTORATE OF DEFENCE REHABILITATION

WO1 (SMI) S Chappell RAPTC

The last 12 months within The Directorate of Defence the best possible service to our injured Service personnel. With the

Rehabilitation (DDR) has seen a vast turnaround in key many challenges that are being presented and the ever changing
personalities. Following the departure of Maj (MAA) Paul landscape of our Armed Forces, the medical world has been
Sanderson to take over as SO2 Physical Development at 3 (UK) faced with signiicant changes. One of the main challenges has
Division, was the arrival of Maj (MAA) Chris Deed who took on the been the forecast for Defence Medical Services 20, this will have

role of SO2 Defence Rehabilitation. His irst week in post started signiicant implications for Defence Rehabilitation and prompt a
with him boarding a plane to Afghanistan, to carry out a week long reorganisation of medical capability. Coupled with this has been
visit with the Director of Defence Rehabilitation. WO1 (SMI) Mallen the stand up of Defence Primary Healthcare (DPHC) which in
moved along the corridor to the Joint Services School of Exercise essence is where all medical capability is brought under one chain
Rehabilitation Instructors (ERI). As the Directorate is a Tri Service of command. With the challenges faced, what is apparent during

department, there have also been changes with the arrival of WO the Directorate visits across Defence, has been that the ERI is
Lenny Brayshaw RAF and CPO Paul Newcombe RN.
at the forefront of Defence Rehabilitation and is essential to the
continued success of the DMRP.
The Directorate has continued to ensure that the Defence Medical

Rehabilitation Programme (DMRP) is being delivered to provide

REGIONAL REHABILITATION UNIT (RRU) ALDERSHOT

Sgt (SI) CA Watson RAPTC

L
ife in RRU Aldershot remains busy running 3 week intensive
rehab courses for the South Region. A course at the RRU
provides injured soldiers an excellent opportunity to take
some protected time to learn how to best manage their injuries.
The course content is targeted to enable each soldier to fully

understand the pathology behind their injury and identify their
own deicits in strength, lexibility and muscle recruitment which
is important for future compliance and management. Courtesy of
funding from HQ Air, the gymnasium is now fully equipped with all

the essential rehab speciic items to enable class therapy for 45
patients at any one time. We have a solid team of course clinicians
who embrace the RRU environment which can at times be as
challenging as it is rewarding.

We recently welcomed Maj Lucy Cornish as the new RRO having
been handed the baton from Maj Jo Gibbs who embarked on
a year’s sabbatical to travel around Africa. WO2 (QMSI) Claire

RRU Aldershot Staff

McIlroy RAPTC is also in the seat as the Regional Trade Specialist
Advisor (RTSA) providing a POC for all regional PCRF’s on ERI
matters.

Its not all work and no play and the team have made some time
to relax by recently attended the annual ‘End of an era Pink room
party’ at Aldershot PCRF. The event took the format of an informal
Dinner night in which all attending were encouraged to wear

something pink. The PCRF are relocating into a brand new facility
in April which is adjacent to the RRU.

Sadly after two years, it’s time for me to leave the RRU. I have

had a great time with the RRU and feel lucky to have worked with
the team here who have developed and moulded me as an ERI.
Next stop for me will be Op Herrick 18 for a six month tour and a
subsequent posting to PCRF Blandford.
RRU ERI’s at the infamous ‘Pink Room Party’