Page 130 - RAPTC Year of 2019

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REGIONAL REHABILITATION UNIT ALDERGROVE
Sgt (SI) G Burton RAPTC Skiing with UOTC Sgt (SI) S Coleman Officiating at the Warrior Fitness Competition
SSgt (SI) M Combe winning double gold SSgt (SI) M Combe leading the Army race.
REGIONAL REHABILITATION UNIT EDINBURGH
Sgt (SI) R A Burns RAPTC
For a first tour ERI, RRU Scotland has been a challenging yet highly rewarding post. The high turnover of patients admitted onto the 3-week generals course provides
constant variety in the clinical presentation of musculoskeletal injuries.
After applying for a RAF Regiment commission, Sgt (SI) Mowbray’s posting to light blue pastures has left a gap in the course delivery team. With the QMSI providing cover, the RRU can maintain current output and ensure the rehabilitation needs of the Tri-Service population within the region are fulfilled.
Led by physiotherapist Mr Gordon McKay, the RRU staff have begun a study to look at normative strength values for both upper and lower limbs of infantry soldiers. This work, carried out in collaboration with PCRF Edinburgh and kindly facilitated by 2 Scots, has allowed us to gain an insight into the strength values of uninjured soldiers. The current normative strength values which are used to compare and assess whether soldiers are ready for progression, are collated from a civilian population considered to be active. This new normative patient population specific data will allow a more accurate comparison to be made. This study aims to improve clinical decision making by providing more accurately informed assessment of the end stage the recovering soldier should achieve in relation to their specific injury.
While the infrastructure continues to age in Redford Barracks, funding has been secured to allow the redevelopment of an old storage room into a bespoke podiatry room. Alongside freeing up space within the main clinical treatment areas, it also and more importantly improves patient confidentiality. Procurement of new equipment and a redesign of the shop floor area have also created an uplift in the RRU course delivery capability with new CV equipment allowing a much broader range of sessions offered to patients.
Both ERIs have supported the RAPTC and ERI cadre by running familiarisation days for AAPTI’s within the region and assisted both Brigade and Unit health fairs with injury prevention and healthy eating promotions.
In the wider Scotland region, DPHC has benefitted from an assigned ERI FWD to 2 Scots based at Glencorse Barracks some 8 miles from the PCRF at Redford Bks. Sgt (SI) Evans assumed post in Jan 20, at a time when the unit were deployed. Infrastructure and IT access initially proved difficult to resolve however with the unit returning, a specific rehab area and clinical treatment room have been established within the unit. This allows more specific patient reviews to be conducted under the supervision of Sgt Evans, whilst also reducing the amount of time patients are required to travel for ERI care. This improvement in service delivery will no doubt improve the Units number of DG personnel.