Their Royal Highnesses. Picture source: MoD
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall, last week opened the new Jubilee Rehabilitation Complex at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) in Headley Court.
According to a source at the MoD the brand new £16.9 million Complex, which he said was fully funded by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), which would also feature an Activities of Daily Living flat where patients could learn to live independently.
The Complex includes a new state-of-the-art therapy building with a second prosthetics department, radiology department and open plan gym to ensure that injured personnel continue to receive world-class medical care and rehabilitation.
In addition to the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans Mark Francois, the opening will also be attended by serving personnel and veterans who competed in the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans Mark Francois said: “It is an immense pleasure and privilege to attend the opening of the Jubilee Rehabilitation Complex at Headley Court in my new role as Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans. Countless times we have seen the determination of injured personnel at Headley Court in their rehabilitation, and recently at the Paralympics after their recovery. This fantastic new complex will continue to provide crucial world-class treatment and rehabilitation to those who need it.”
Whilst Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre Commanding Officer, Group Captain Clare Walton said: “On behalf of all the patients and staff at Headley Court I would like to thank Their Royal Highnesses for officially opening the Jubilee Rehabilitation Complex. I know the new facilities will enable our staff to continue to provide the very best of care to our patients and to keep Headley Court at the forefront of rehabilitation and prosthetics.”
Group Captain Walton added: “I would also like to thank the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), its regional industry partner PriDE and principle contractor Rollalong for delivering the complex on schedule.”
Ambush
Also, last week Ambush, the second of the Royal Navy’s potent new Astute Class attack submarines, sailed into Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde to begin sea trials.
The 7,400 tonne submarine sailed from the shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, where she was built, to HMNB Clyde in Scotland.
The seven Astute Class boats planned for the Royal Navy are the most advanced and powerful attack submarines Britain has ever sent to sea.
They feature the latest nuclear-powered technology, which means they never need to be refuelled and can circumnavigate the world submerged, manufacturing the crew’s oxygen from seawater as she goes.
Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology Philip Dunne enthused: “Ambush’s arrival at her home port to begin her sea trials marks a key milestone in the Astute Class submarine programme and is testament to the skills of those involved in the UK’s world class submarine building industry.
Minister Dunne added: "Ambush is an immensely powerful and advanced vessel that will deliver an important capability to the Royal Navy, giving it the versatility and technical excellence needed to operate successfully across the globe."
The Astute Class is quieter than any of her predecessors and has the ability to operate covertly and remain undetected in almost all circumstances despite being fifty percent bigger than the Royal Navy’s current Trafalgar Class submarines.
The boat’s Commanding Officer, Commander Peter Green, said: “It was very satisfying bringing Ambush into her home port for the first time after initial sea trials. The ship’s company and I are now looking forward to putting her through her paces over the coming months, bringing her one step closer to being deployed on operations.