34 NAVY NEWS, AUGUST 2007
The Royal Navy writes on the issues affecting you
Sunny outlook for mental health facility
Service
A NEW health facility for the Royal Navy has educational and advisory services in both a of uniformed mental health personnel for
sports
been officially opened in Portsmouth Naval primary care role and to the executive, although deployment – teams of four, a psychiatrist and
Base by Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Adrian inpatient services have been outsourced to the three nurses, are available to support front-line
‘Golden
John. Priory group since a defence medical review forces in times of war or to support personnel
The Department of Community Mental in 2001. dealing with disasters or traumatic incidents.
diving
Health (DCMH) moved out of Haslar when Departments aim to ensure assessment and DCMHs are staffed by mental health
the military handed control to the NHS earlier care for Service personnel – each department professionals of various disciplines, including
Hello’ for
this year, moving across the harbour to Sunny provides services to all three Armed Forces psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health
reviewed
Walk. within their catchment areas – in order to nurses and social workers.
The new facility is one of three departments bring them back to operational capability of to Outpatient clinics are held there, and the CHANGES to the process of
aircraft
which make up Naval Mental Health Services, rehabilitate them for the transition to civilian centres provide an out-of-hours service. medical certification for diving
with a centre in each of the base ports. life. Emergency referrals will be seen within 24 conducted within the Joint
Each department provides clinical, Another major requirement is the provision hours. Service Adventurous Training
(JSAT) scheme are being
controllers
brought in to align the Forces
with civilian rules.
To comply with the Diving at
A ‘GOLDEN Hello’ bonus is
Work Regulations 1997, Service
being introduced to ensure the
sports divers must have a
supply of Aircraft Controllers to
certificate of medical fitness
ships at sea.
Academy treasures
issued by an HSE-approved
Since its introduction as a
medical examiner of divers, and
sideways-entry specialisation in
the certificate cannot exceed
1990, replacing the Helicopter
12 months.
Controller cadre, the AC branch
However, negotiations – in
has not, for various reasons,
which the good safety record
attracted sufficient numbers.
of Service sports diving and
This has led to high turnover
the role of the Institute of
of staff and extensive gapping – a
become trophies
Naval Medicine’s 24-hour Duty
major problem when most frigates
Diving Medical Officer were
or destroyers have only one AC
presented – have concluded
on board. Stepping into the Royal
and other items dotted around the with recognition of Service
In order to encourage ratings
Navy’s Trophy Store at HMS
building to preserve and care for. Medical Officers and MOD
to apply for and complete AC
training to fill the gaps which
Nelson is like finding yourself
To become an official Naval Civilian Medical Practitioners
Trophy, an item has to have who conduct and record diving
are expected, a financial retention
in Aladdin’s Cave, with
some historical or symbolic value medicals as ‘an Approved Class
incentive is now in place. gold and silver shimmering to the Service, then have some of Medical Practitioners’.
The AC Golden Hello, worth a
around you, and hundreds
paperwork signed, before settling Additionally, whilst it is
total of £5,000, will be paid to new
ACs who successfully complete
of reflections of your eyes
down on a shelf in the Trophy always preferable for a doctor
Room – unless it has a particular with formal training in diving
the Leading Aircraft Controller
gazing back at you from the
relevance to a ship, which might
medicine to certify fitness
Qualifying Course before the end
polished metal, writes Eloise want to borrow it.
to dive (which remains an
of the qualifying period (March
Waldon-Day, of Portsmouth
A total of 109 pieces were
absolute requirement for
31 2008), or to rejoining LACs
or POACs who have left the RN
Grammar School.
removed from the ONA, including
Service occupational divers),
the flexibility for any Service
since April 1 2001.
The trophies, as they are
ornamental brass cannon and a
wooden cabinet donated from
Medical Officer or MOD Civilian
Transitional tapered rates of the broadly named – though the
a Royal Yacht used by Queen
Medical Practitioner to certify
golden hello will be paid to LACs items range from a block of
Victoria – discovered in the ladies’
fitness for Service sports diving
who have qualified in the two
wood from HMS Victory to loos of the ONA.
has also been agreed and
years prior to April 1 2007.
a Thunderbirds puppet – are
retained.
The single-payment £5,000
The cabinet is the biggest,
incentive is linked to a three-
loaned out to anyone who can
The new procedures for the
and arguably one of the
make good use of them.
issue of a medical certificate
year Return of Service and to a
most attractive, of the
Some historical items are used as
of fitness to dive within the
number of eligibility criteria.
salvaged trophies.
centrepieces for formal occasions,
JSAT scheme comprise the
Any personnel who believe
or are gifts from countries to
The RNTF is given advice by
following:
they meet the necessary criteria
celebrate treaties and alliances.
experts on the approximate value
An initial physical medical marina
to be eligible for a Golden Hello
For example, an admiral might
of items, taking into consideration
examination, with a further
payment will be required to make
borrow a set of paintings from the
the hallmarks, intricate designs,
examination every five years to
an application, to their UPO, using
Trophy Store for the wall of his
and weight of a trophy to give it a
age 40, every three years to age
the appropriate forms.
official residence.
value – much like the Antique Road
50, and annually thereafter.
No payments will be made until
Which David Costigan,
Show, but without an irritating
Annual health surveillance by marina
a signed undertaking is given that
Secretary to the RN Trophy Fund
theme tune.
brief consultation with a Service
the applicant understands and
(RNTF) Trustees, has no problem
In fact, some of the items in the
Medical Officer or MOD Civilian
accepts the terms under which the
with – he would much rather the
Trophy Store have featured on the
Medical Practitioner who has
payment will be made.
items in his care are being put to
programme, including the Lady
access to primary care medical
Recycling top
good use rather than sitting in his
Penelope from Thunderbirds.
records.
sparkly domain.
Another recently-acquired
The assessment of civilian
The closing down of the Old
treasure is a block of wood, about
members of Service branches
of the agenda
Naval Academy (see page 37)
four feet tall, which, although not
who are not subject to the
meant that many artifacts of
easily distinguishable from any
Diving at Work Regulations
varying age and splendour were
other random piece of wood, is an
has already been changed to
without a home – which is where
original piece from HMS Victory,
align with the UK Sports Diving
RECYCLING was top of the
Faslane agenda when the base the RNTF staff come in.
made of oak and copper.
Medical Committee system.
took part in the United Nations’ They collected the various
I suspect this trophy may remain
It is not acceptable to allow
World Environment Day. items which they believed worthy
in the room for some time – there
existing certificates to remain
Various exhibitions stalls were of long-term care and of historical would be little point dragging out
valid until the time they were
laid out in both Faslane and interest to members of the Navy, the (undoubtedly valuable) block
originally due to expire because
nearby Coulport, with all kinds of and maintain them. of wood and putting it in the
many of them are long-dated.
information and giveaways. As the time came for the ONA middle of the table for a dinner
After January 1 2008 existing
“It was a great success,” said to close, the RNTF staff picked party when you could just as easily
certificates will continue to
● The Royal Yacht cabinet, and other items from the ONA, in the RN
organiser Barrie Duncan, BNS’s through the silverware, furniture hire a shiny trophy. Trophy Store at HMS Nelson in Portsmouth
be valid until the anniversary
estate maintenance and waste
during 2008 of the date on
manager.
A safe bet
which the certificate was
“It was evident that everyone
Navy takes the lead in Pride parade
originally issued.
recycles at home and wants to
Thereafter Service sports
DEVONPORT Naval Base has
continue this at their place of A RECORD number of RN civilian clothing. the same time demonstrate
divers will need a new BR1750A
won the prestigious RoSPA De-
work, which is very encouraging. volunteers marched through Lt Cdr Craig Jones, of to the wider community that
approved medical certificate of
fence Sector safety award for the
“This international campaign the capital in uniform at the 2SL’s Diversity and Equality we are genuinely committed to
fitness to dive.
third year running.
provided us with an ideal head of this year’s London Team, said: “This event is recruiting from a diverse pool
Further information regarding
Having taken RoSPA’s top
opportunity to put the issue of Pride parade. a superb way for the Royal of talent.”
the policy change can be
recycling firmly in the public eye Although Army and RAF Navy to demonstrate its Despite heavy rain, the
safety award, last year, the base
obtained from SO2AT, tel 9380
again. personnel were allowed to commitment to lesbian/gay/ parade, was watched by
is unmatched by any private or 22590, or OiC JSSADC Fort
“Recycling on the base is pretty march, they were restricted to bisexual personnel, and at thousands of people.
public sector organisation over the Bovisand 01752 405573, or go
good, but we can always encourage
past 50 years to www.jssadc.org
people to do more. To this end
we are implementing recycling
facilities for both plastics and
New man at top for RNBT
cans, and it is hoped that these
will both be introduced within the
THE Royal Naval Benevolent Trust (RNBT) has a premier league of benevolence.
next couple of months.”
new man at the helm – only the third in over 30 years. “I look forward to guiding the Trust to the next
Last year Clyde recycled 58
Cdr Stephen Farrington, who left the RN in level and working closely and in harmony not only
tonnes of cardboard, 110 tonnes
2005 after 37 years – his last sea appointment was with the other naval charities but in the wider arena
of wood, 489 tonnes of metal, 14
as Commander (Engineering) in HMS Fearless of military and seafaring benevolence.”
tonnes of rubber, 1.25 tonnes of
– succeeds Cdr Jeremy Owens as Chief Executive. President Cdre Peter Swan said: “It is sad to see
glass, 13 tonnes of waste electronic
Shore appointments included support and training Jeremy go, but he heading for a well-earned retirement
and electrical equipment, 37,670
roles for the Surface Flotilla, working within the after 12 valuable and challenging years service.”
litres of oil and 7,565 litres of food
Central Staff of the MOD and his final appointment The RNBT exists for the benefit of serving and
oil for bio-fuels.
was on the directing staff at the Royal College of ex-serving RN ratings and RM other ranks and
Defence Studies. their dependants in need or distress. The Trust not
On leaving the Royal Navy he joined the power only provides funds to help with needs, but also
industry before taking up his new post. runs a care home for those no longer able to live
Stephen said: “It is a privilege to carry on the good independently.
work that began in 1922 and has continued under The RNBT depends on donations and legacies
the stewardship of a number of Chief Executives who to balance its income and welcomes financial ● From left: Vice President John Thompson, Chief Executive Cdr
Stephen Farrington RN, former CE Cdr Jeremy Owens RN and have been proud to contribute to building the Trust contributions. For further details see www.rnbt.org.
President Cdre Peter Swan RN up to its current status of being very much in the uk and the RN intranet within the 2SL domain.
The Royal Navy writes on the issues affecting you
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