Page 171 - RAPTC Mind, Body & Spirit

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THE ROBERT JONES AND AGNES HUNT ORTHOPAEDIC HOSPITAL NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
By Major(Retd) Stewart McNeish
Like many who have served in the Corps, time has come to repair some of the damage done to our bodies. In my case 2 knees and possibly a hip. While on the list for surgery at
our hospital in Inverness with a possible waiting time of 1 year, I was by chance informed by John Larkham that a veterans clinic existed. We researched and found that Col Karl Meyer RAMC was catering for veterans at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry. I e-mailed the PA of Col Meyer giving a short career CV, my height, weight, symptoms and current medication. Three weeks later I was invited to attend the hospital for a consultation at which I was seen by Col Meyer and his colleague Mr Christos Oikonomou. This progressed to an operation for my first knee, all within 4 months. The downside was that I had to make
Bernard Thomas Middle row far right
a journey of 450 miles for my initial consultation and pre-op medical, and then again for the operation. However attention to detail was first class, including having 14 x-rays of knees and hips from various angles after which I was told a complete knee replacement was required. They would then carry out an assessment on the other knee and hip when recovery was completed.
I spent 2 nights and 3 days days in hospital and can only say once again the attention given by the staff, from the porters to the surgeons was absolutely amazing. At present I am in recovery mode undergoing physio back here in the Highlands. After 8 weeks I am happy to say I have a 120 degs flex of the knee, the quad is starting to take shape and I am walking with a great deal less pain that I endured prior to surgery. Looking forward to making the trip for further assessment in a few weeks time.
So to any past Corps members who are on a long waiting list or are at a point where they may need some joint replacement you will not be wasting your time in contacting Col Meyer and his team. I would add that you do require to be seen by your GP for a referral to Col Meyer’s clinic. To summarise, a full knee replacement is fairly major surgery which is not without experiencing considerable pain in the recovery phase so get your Corps vest on and use the motto No Pain, No Gain.
Contact should be made through his PA – Rebecca Jones who in my case replied extremely positively and promptly.
Email: rebecca.ann.jones@rjah.nhs.uk
Iwas very grateful to have received an excellent copy of the official History of the Royal Army Physical Training Corps book written by Nikolai Bogdanovic. As an author myself, I do know
how hard it is to conduct the extensive research necessary to obtain all the required information to complete the task so that the historical reference is correct.
I would however like to have the opportunity to add the heading CIVILIAN QUALIFICATIONS on page 200 in the book that it was I who in fact initiated the first academic course in 1987 for selected
Capt (MAA) Cass Clay APTC, Maj (MAA) Tom Steel APTC, Lt Col (MAA) Ian Horn APTC, Dr Bill Tancred – Course Leader
APTC Officers prior to the period mentioned in the RAPTC history book in 1991. I did this while I held the position of Director of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Sheffield from 1980 – 1993.
While serving in the APTC from 1965 – 1968, I always felt that Corps Instructors should have the opportunity in gaining civilian academic qualifications to include sports and exercise science so that they were in a better position to gain employment in the sports industry.
Hence my desire to initiate at the University of Sheffield with the support of Lt Col Phil Hargraves and Lt Col Don Glynn to get APTC Officers into an accepted academic environment (University of Sheffield) to study full time for a Post Graduate Diploma qualification. The first officer to have this wonderful opportunity was Capt Tom Steel in 1987 followed in 1988 with Capt Cass Clay and Lt Ian Horn. Capt Alan File followed these officers in 1989 and in 1990, both Capt Jim Noble and Lt Hamish McCunn attended the University of Sheffield for the last APTC intake.
I informed Lt Col Denis Martindale the SMAA at the time in 1990 that I intended to leave Sheffield University and he should therefore contact Loughborough University through my former tutor Dr Ernest Hamley (Human Biology Department) and colleague Mike Holliday (PE and Sports Science Department) for future civilian academic courses for APTC personnel.
CIVILIAN QUALIFICATIONS
Dr Bill Tancred MBE