Page 17 - QARANC Vol 14 No 8 2014

the dying patient and surgical patient. On top of this we had to keep up to date with our Anatomy and Physiology and our PT as the final fitness test approached. The weekly progress test re-started and the stress levels began to increase again.
But we did have some relaxing days where we had the chance to chill out and unwind, like the Chelsea pensioners visit. We all met up bright and early for the bus, dressed in smart civilian clothing. The bus journey was rather jolly with high spirits as we were getting away from Keogh Barracks for a day. We arrived in London at about 1000hrs and were met by a gentleman called Sgt Michael Allen who was a resident at Chelsea; he was our tour guide for the day. The highlight of the day for us was chatting to all the Chelsea pensioners and
listening to their war stories and the banter, while sipping on a glass or two of port. The curry lunch provided was a vast improvement from the food at Keogh Barracks cookhouse.
The majority of us have completed various Phase 2 training within the Army and we can say with certainty that this was the most challenging of them all. It makes us all very happy to know that we were the top 16 students selected to join this course and the ranks of the QARANC and that the journey has just begun for us.
L/Cpl Macmurray L/Cpl Walker
Pte White
EOC Phase2B Course February 2013
In February 2013, eight new Nursing Officers undertook four weeks of Corps specific training at the Defence Medical Services Training Group (DMSTG), Keogh Barracks. The course serves as the final section of Phase 2 initial training and its Manager was Captain Martin Niven.
The structure and content of the course was planned to progress from topics already covered during the RMAS commissioning course and the EOC course, specifically looking at issues relating to being an Officer in the QARANC. It was a diverse and interesting course that, while predominantly classroom based, involved a wide range of activities including a table top exercise, debates, presentations, a mock grading board, and mock interviews. Classroom activities were balanced with regular PT sessions, which were undertaken with the Medical Support Officers (MSOs) concurrently undergoing their Phase 2 training.
While the course was based largely at Keogh Barracks, nearly every day included a visit from an external speaker about at their particular area of expertise including representatives from the Navy and RAF as well as the specialities of Occupational Health,
Healthcare Governance, Infection Control, Education, Environmental Health and Mental Health. Additionally students were privileged to have two fireside chats, one with the Director of Army Nursing Services which involved discussions about the future direction of the Corps and career opportunities, and the other with a recently commissioned QARANC officer who could speak from experience on what to expect in the initial period in a first unit following training.
In order to practice the management and administration involved in planning military event students were broken down into groups and allocated to one of three proposed events. 2Lt Llewellyn and 2Lt Kemp organised a very enjoyable potted sports event attended by all the Nurses and MSOs. Competitive spirit was fuelled by putting the two corps on opposing teams, and while a close contest was fought the nursing officers sadly lost out (just!). Capt Howell, Lt Perrin and 2Lt Scott then put on a training event for some of the soldiers currently based at DMSTG. It was a very dynamic morning of training that used a variety of teaching techniques to help the soldiers revise their knowledge of the nervous, skeletal and muscular systems and
received very favourable feedback fromthestudentsthemselves.Finally, Lt McClenaghan, 2Lt Charnley and 2Lt Keenan planned a course trip to London which comprised a morning visit to an NMC hearing, followed by a visit to the Royal Hospital Chelsea. It was the first opportunity for all to attend an NMC hearing and it was unanimously felt to be an extremely beneficial experience. At the Royal Hospital the knowledge and humour of tour guide Brian Cummings was thoroughly appreciated, and the group was also privileged to enjoy a tour of the Infirmary by the Deputy Matron and to meet some of the residents including the first QARANC pensioner Sgt Barbara Whilds.
All in all the students enjoyed the course and valued the opportunity to focus on learning about specific issues relating to their profession and Corps prior to their various MDHU and DCMH postings. Many thanks are due to the external speakers who took the time to come to contribute to the course, and in particular to Captain Martin Niven who put in such energy and efforts to making the course so enjoyable and productive.
2Lt Jane Keenan
THE GAZETTE QARANC 15