Hard work pays after all! This is true of military and civilian medics who provide innovative healthcare for serving personnel and veterans just shortlisted in the Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards (MCHPA).
The awards, Vigilance learnt showcase the best of healthcare between the military, the NHS and the voluntary sector in nine categories, with 27 projects across the country going through to the finals.
Our Defence Team gathered that winners will be announced in November at a ceremony at the Birmingham Museum and ArtGallery.
Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, Andrew Robathan, said: “When I launched the MCHPA in June this year, I was confident that the outstanding service provided to our Armed Forces and Veterans would be recognised in these awards. I am delighted to see the shortlist announced today and wish every finalist the very best of luck for the awards ceremony in November.”
The Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM) in partnership with University Hospitals, Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHBFT) is recognised in 4 of the 9 categories. Their finalists’ work ranges from the introduction of advanced dressings for military wounds to the management of acute pain for in-patients (both military and civilian) at the QueenElizabethHospital, Birmingham.
Gp Capt Wendy Williams, the Commanding Officer at RCDM said: “I am delighted to see that both uniformed and civilian members of staff working at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham have been nominated for the MCHPA. It is important that the hard work and incredible patient outcomes that this successful partnership achieves are recognised and celebrated.”
Whilst the Chief Executive of University Hospitals Birmingham Foundation Trust, Julie Moore, said: “It is a fitting tribute that the dedication of the Trust's teams and their RCDM partners has been recognised amongst the awards finalists. Bringing these teams together over the years has provided the opportunity to build academic knowledge around pioneering clinical innovations, often performed for the first time to save lives and limbs.
“Thanks to these partnerships many more people, both military personnel and NHS patients, survive injuries, when not so long ago they would have died due to the rapid loss of blood and severe trauma. I am proud of our staff and wish them the very best of luck in their respective categories in the final.”
The finalists who have worked with veterans show how Health and Social care provision throughout the UK can be tailored to local needs. Improving access to welfare and specialist mental health care has delivered outstanding results.
Health Minister, Simon Burns, said: "Servicemen and women give so much to our country and I am delighted that the exceptional care given to them is recognised by these awards. Healthcare professionals from the NHS and social care provide vital support to service personnel and it is great to see their hard work and expertise acknowledged. I wish all the finalists good luck."
The awards were open to military and civilian personnel who provide health and social care to the Armed Forces, their families and veterans. It recognises and strengthens the partnership between Britain’s military and civilian health care workers and provides the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the many examples of high quality care.
Awards will be presented to the winners on 9th November at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. The ceremony will be preceded by a presentation of the care pathway from Afghanistan to rehabilitation and recovery. This will highlight how those finalists have uniquely contributed to the excellent service those patients receive from the Defence Medical Services, NHS and voluntary sectors in partnership.