Military Health Heroes’ Call for Recognition

Released on: 27th May 2010

Pictured at the launch today were Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, Air Vice Marshal Paul Evans (right), Commander Joint Medical Command in the MOD, Under Secretary of State for Defence, Andrew Robathan MP and (left) Lt Col Joy McGrath, QARANC.

The thousands of military and civilian professionals who care for Britain’s armed forces are being challenged to “step forward and be recognised” for their excellence of care to serving personnel, at home and overseas, their families and service veterans.

The third annual Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards (MCHPA) were launched today by Northern Ireland’s Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey MLA. He was accompanied by the Under Secretary of State for Defence, Andrew Robathan MP, and Air Vice Marshal Paul Evans, Commander Joint Medical Command in the MOD.

The launch took place at Northern Ireland’s Territorial Army base at Hydebank, South Belfast, where they met the staff of 204 (North Irish) Field Hospital and saw a trauma unit training set-up.

Celebrating partnership working between Britain's military and civilian health and social care workers, the Awards are open to civilian health and social care staff and military medics working within the Defence Medical Services, the health service and the private or voluntary sectors. They highlight and celebrate exceptional care for the Forces across all professional disciplines and settings.

Minister McGimpsey said:

“As Health Minister I am very proud to be hosting the third annual competition. It is an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the very best in health and social care provided to our military personnel, their families and our service veterans.

“The competition is not just about the health professionals that support our troops at war, exceptional though their service is. It is much wider than that. It is about celebrating the full range of the health and social care that the family of the Armed Forces draws on. The awards uniquely reinforce the very practical partnerships between the military, the civilian and the voluntary services who provide that care.

“The website is live today at www.militarycivilianhealthawards.org. I would urge you to make your nominations and pay tribute to the excellence of service that together the military and civilian health and social care personnel provide.”

Under Secretary of State for Defence, Andrew Robathan said:

“The Awards recognise outstanding achievements amongst those responsible for providing quality healthcare services to our Service men and women, their families, and veterans. Whether they are military or civilian, from Defence Medical Services, the NHS, part of a team or an individual, these awards recognise those who make a difference on a daily basis to those who have fought and sacrificed on our behalf.”

Air Vice Marshal Paul Evans said:

“The standard of applications and nominations in previous years were of the highest calibre, and reflects the major contributions of regular and reserve personnel in delivering our key functions and the key role that NHS colleagues play in this delivery. The Military and Civilian Health Partnership awards must now be firmly in the healthcare professionals’ calendar because winning one of these awards has become a distinguished honour.”

Notes to Editors

  1. 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.
  2. 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
  3. Last year Northern Ireland had finalists in 4 of the (then) 8 categories:
    • The 204 (North Irish) Field Hospital (v), who are, of course all volunteers from our own HSC and Family Practitioner Services, were finalists in both the Education and Training and Deployed Healthcare Categories;
    • Lt Col Tom Trinick of the 204 (N Irish) Field Hospital was a finalist in the Healthcare Reservist of the Year Category; and
    • The UDR & Irish Aftercare Service were a finalist team in the Care of Veterans Category.
  4. Supporting quotes are also available from Simon Burns, Health Minister for the English NHS; Shona Robison. Public Health Minister, Scottish Government; and Edwina Hart, Minister for Health, Welsh Assembly Government.
  5. Nominations open today, Thursday May 27. The closing date for applications is 9 July 2010. Entrants can be self-nominated or entered by patients, colleagues or members of the public.
  6. The Military and Civilian Health Partnerships Awards ceremony will take place on 25 November 2010 in Belfast City Hall.
  7. Further information on the Health Partnership Awards, including how to make a nomination, can be found at www.militarycivilianhealthawards.org, or at 028 9076 5602.
  8. Media enquiries to the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0579. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number on 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.