Awards will Honour Military Heroes
Published: 14 January 2013
Awards to Honour Military Health Heroes Launched
An awards scheme to recognise the joint efforts of the NHS and the military for their treatment and care of the Armed Forces has been launched.
The UK-wide Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards celebrate the work of Britain’s military and heath care workers and are open to civilian health staff and military medics working within the Defence Medical Services, the NHS, and private or voluntary sectors.
The awards honour the people, projects and initiatives that provide serving military personnel, including Reserves, their families and service veterans with the very best in healthcare and social care.
The 2013 awards ceremony, to be held on May 21, is being hosted by the Welsh Government. From today, people can nominate individuals or teams who provide care and support to service personnel. Nominations close on February 21, 2013.
Launching the awards at the headquarters of 203 (Welsh) Field Hospital (Volunteers) in Llandaff North, Cardiff, Welsh Government Health Minister Lesley Griffiths said:
"I am proud that Wales is hosting the 2013 awards. The awards celebrate the hard work, commitment and dedication shown by health professionals from across the public, private and voluntary sector in caring for the men and women of the armed forces.
"It is important we recognise the immense contribution the Armed Forces and veterans have made to their country. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude and a duty of care, particularly those who have developed health problems as a result of their military service.
"It is also vital we acknowledge the role of those that care for and support service personnel and veterans, especially in recent years when the Armed Forces has been heavily engaged overseas.
"I would encourage people to consider nominating either themselves or others for these awards, as it is important that we recognise their contribution to improving the lives of service personnel and veterans."
The launch event, which was also attended by a number of NHS Trust chief executives, Brigadier Philip Napier, Commander 160 (Wales) Brigade and head of the Army in Wales, and Air Marshall Paul Evans, Surgeon General, included a demonstration of the treatment of a casualty from ambulance to resuscitation and how a field hospital is set up and managed.
Colonel Tina Donnelly, Director of the Royal College of Nursing and Commanding Officer 203 (Welsh) Field Hospital (V), said the combined NHS and military awards programme was unique in enabling and recognising the common purpose of each organisation, department or team.
She said: "The awards demonstrate the passion, enthusiasm, capability and commitment of personnel in delivering health care, contributing immensely to the knowledge and skills development that enriches patient care."
The 203 Fd Hosp was founded in 1914 and is made up of Reservist volunteers including civilians, NHS staff and military medics. The unit is currently preparing for an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.
Details on the awards, including how to apply or nominate, are available at: www.militarycivilianhealthawards.org
The 2013 awards are the fifth Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards. They are hosted in turn by the Ministry of Defence, Welsh Government, Scottish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive.
Awards will be made in eight categories:
Education, Training and Research
Health Improvement and Protection
Healthcare Reservist of the Year
Healthcare Regular of the Year
Healthcare Civilian of the Year
Care of Veterans
Healthcare for/by the Deployed Force