Page 4 - QARANC Vol 19 No 1 2021

2 The Gazette QARANC Association
President’s Foreword
Editorial
It seems difficult to believe that one year since the first lock-down for COVID-19, we are in the midst of another. Whilst some parts of our lives have been ‘on hold’, thankfully other aspects have continued to move forward. Keiron and I have spent the last nine months giving some much needed TLC to our house and have welcomed in October a new granddaughter - Verity! Such things help us to focus on the more positive aspects of staying at home and as Captain Sir Tom Moore said not long before he died, ‘tomorrow will be a good day’!
As always, I remain very grateful to all those members of the Association who have taken time out from their busy lives to write and submit material for the Gazette; and I am grateful as well as to the staff at RHQ, who, despite their own busy jobs and working from home, have given me help and support in producing each edition of your Gazette. Moreover, I am especially grateful to my husband who continues to encourage me when I am anxious and frustrated about getting the Gazette ready for publication!
Like all of you, my hope is that vaccination will be the path back to normality, and that this time next year we will be able to say ‘thank goodness that’s all over’.
Alison Spires Editor
This year’s on-going lock down project – counted thread cross stitch of QA badge
Welcome to the 2021 Spring edition of the QARANC Association Gazette. As you read this, all four nations of the country will be well on the way to reaching their second milestone of vaccinating priority groups 5 – 9 in the fight against COVID-19. I know that many of you have been involved in working in or supporting the NHS to achieve that. We have seen unprecedented numbers of serving personnel deploy forward to assist in planning, co-ordination, and delivery of additional care and vaccinations across the country; behind the scenes and at the forefront of delivery. Many serving and veteran colleagues have provided a vital link in driving others without transport to vaccination centres and in supporting them during and afterwards. At the heart of it all have been our RHQ team and Trustees, and our Branches; connecting the web of friendship across UK and worldwide.
Thank you for the way you continue to quietly put others first, no matter your own hardships. The military is known for team work and ‘having the back of others’. Every day that is so obvious. It’s been a great privilege for the Colonels Commandant and me to speak with so many of you during our unit and Association Branch virtual ‘visits’. I continue to hear your praises sung, both serving and veterans. You are all doing a fantastic job.
What a fabulous start we had to this year with such an unprecedented high number of QARANC Officers and soldiers being formally recognised in the New Year’s Honours list, following on from such great recognition in the delayed Queen’s Birthday Honours list last autumn. From CBE, RRC, ARRC and commendations, they are a reflection of the truly remarkable talent across our Corps, also recognised in our own internal military awards throughout the Autumn and in the Nursing Times Awards and Student Nurse Nursing Times Awards. That’s very apparent from the wide variety in article submissions in this edition.
From recent experiences of caring in a COVID-19 environment at home, overseas or having re-registered from retirement, to some much needed escapism and Adventurous training in Wales to an historical article (not that long ago many of us say!) about Op
GRANBY and the first Gulf War which interrupted military student nurse training. I know that will chime with many students at the moment.
Colonel Kevin Davies reflects on his first nine months in role as Colonel Commandant during the Year of the Nurse and Midwife; and what a fitting tribute to military nurses and HCAs during this year’s Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall with Army Nursing so well represented. For anyone who missed the special recorded virtual Remembrance Sunday Service posted on the QARANC Association Facebook site, you can catch up with a great article about how the military student nurses organised it. Along with our regular features of the work of the Board of Trustees and Corps Heritage, it’s time to settle down with a cup of tea and have a good read!
As I write this in January with snow on the ground whilst part of a Military Assessment Team in Wales looking at ways to support regional NHS areas, I hope that by the time you read this, we are turning a corner with a greater understanding of when we can resume our Corps activities face to face. In the meantime, I look forward to seeing you virtually, hearing your thoughts and questions and continuing to work together as a united Corps.
In friendship,
Sub cruce candida
Colonel Alison Farmer ARRC QHN Chief Nursing Officer (Army)