Launch of 2011 Awards at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham
The fourth annual Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards (MCHPA) were launched on 17th June by the Rt Hon Andrew Robathan, Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, when he visited the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHBFT), in partnership with the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine.
Present at the launch were members of the Military Operational Surgical Training (MOST) team who won the MCHPA Education and Training Award in 2010. Leading the MOST team was Surg Capt Mark Midwinter, who was awarded the CBE for his exceptional contribution to the development of military surgery, in particular battlefield trauma in the Birthday Honours list 2011.
During the visit to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the Minister was accompanied by the Chief Executive of the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Julie Moore, and the Surgeon General, Surgeon Vice Admiral Philip I Raffaelli.
The awards are open to civilian and military health and social care staff working within Defence Medical Services, the health service and the private or voluntary sectors. They highlight and celebrate the exceptional care for the Forces across all professional disciplines and settings, as well as highlighting the close partnership with Britain's military and civilian health and social care workers.
Speaking at the launch of the awards, Rt Hon Andrew Robathan MP said:
“The Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards are an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the incredible results that both our military and civilian colleagues achieve by working together, and I am proud that it is the MOD’s turn to host the annual awards competition; now in it’s fourth successful year.
“It is particularly fitting that this year’s awards competition is being launched and held here in Birmingham, which has become the centre of military medical excellence for the armed forces, and for the partnership between the Defence Medical Services and the NHS.”
The Surgeon General, Surgeon Vice Admiral Philip I Raffaelli, added:
"I am delighted to be here at the launch of the 2011 Military & Civilian Health Partnership Awards. These awards encourage and reward those striving to deliver the very best health care to our servicemen. They allow us to share best practice and to learn from each other, improving the care to all of our patients. This is a partnership that stretches across the whole of the UK, and is one that we all, civilian or military, can be proud of.”
Julie Moore, Chief Executive University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHBFT), said:
“The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham demonstrates the world-class care delivered through the partnership of MoD and civilian Health and Social Care services.
“As the receiving hospital for all British wounded military personnel, we have seen first-hand the dedication of military and civilian healthcare professionals working together when caring for our forces’ personnel.
“I am proud to launch these special awards in recognition and celebration of the outstanding care delivered. I would like to urge everyone to please visit the website, make their nominations and pay tribute to our military and civilian health heroes.”
Simon Burns, Health Minister, 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.”
Notes to Editors:
- For further information contact Carole Cole 0121 627 2973 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust Press Office or Sonia Marshall in the MOD press office on 0207 218 5903.
- The Awards are open to military or civilian members of the Defence Medical Services, NHS or independent sector health or social care workers who, either on an individual or team basis, have benefited the care of a member(s) of the Armed Forces, at home or on deployment overseas, their families or service veterans.
- The nine categories are:
- Innovation in Service Development Award
- Education and Training Award
- Health Improvement and Promotion Award
- Mental Health Award
- Healthcare Reservist of the Year
- Healthcare Regular of the Year
- Healthcare Civilian of the Year
- Care of Veterans Award
- Deployed Healthcare Award
- Nominations are open from Friday 17 Jun 11. The closing date for applications is 29 July 2011. Entrants can be self-nominated or entered by patients, colleagues or members of the public.
- The Military and Civilian Health Partnerships Awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday 09 November 2011 in the Birmingham Council House.
- Further information on the Health Partnership Awards, including how to make a nomination, can be found at www.militarycivilianhealthawards.org