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NAVY NEWS, AUGUST 2008 39
News and information for serving personnel
Mixed
report
Military ward for
for DII
project
new-build hospital
Partnership
programme
THE MOD project to replace
hundreds of different information
technology systems with one single,
secure computer infrastructure is
A NEW hospital being built benefits
reaping benefits – but has also
in Birmingham will have a
suffered “significant” delays,
dedicated military ward.
according to a report by the
The new ward will start
by degrees
National Audit Office (NAO)
taking patients when the
The report notes that “the
AN ARRANGEMENT
Department did considerable
hospital, at Edgbaston, opens
between the Royal Navy and the
work to understand the required
in 2010.
University of Portsmouth offers
scope of the Defence Information
The ward will be a designated
a new way of gaining a university
Infrastructure (DII) programme
trauma and orthopaedics ward
qualification that benefits
and to understand and mitigate
where up to 30 military patients
employers and employees alike.
inherent and anticipated risks.”
will be cared for in single rooms
The Partnership Programme
However, the programme did
or four-bedded bays.
allows students to design their
not take into account sufficiently
As the £545 million hospital
own study programmes to meet
the physical environment into
will also house the largest single-
their individual educational and
which DII would be introduced,
floor critical care unit in the world,
training needs, and involves
and over-optimistic evaluations
with 100 beds, Forces patients will
learning through work-based
were made.
benefit from proximity to Europe’s
On the plus side, the report
leading trauma care provider.
projects.
recognises that DII has delivered
The new ward will be a successor
This can encompass best-
a number of important benefits,
to the current military-managed
practice improvements, new
and that the MOD has largely
ward at Selly Oak Hospital.
design work, training for
protected its financial position.
Chief of the Defence Staff Air
responsibilities, professional
Tim Burr, head of the NAO,
Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup
research and the like, bringing
said: “It was always going to be
said: “Service personnel who are
strategic, commercial and
a demanding task for the MOD
injured on operations deserve the
financial gains to the workplace.
to replace its diverse information
very best medical care we can
This form of study not only
technology with a single, high-
provide.
enhances career prospects, but
quality system.
“I am confident that the
also allows students to earn while
“The MOD started with a clear
treatment delivered at Selly Oak
they learn.
vision of what it wanted to achieve
is already world-class and we will
There is also the chance for
and acted to address unknown
continue to improve on that in this
students to build on existing
risks.
new ward.
knowledge, with credits awarded
“But the programme has
“Importantly, the further
for prior learning.
run into difficulties and further
development of a military
The university has recently
concerted action will be needed
atmosphere within the NHS
awarded accreditation for all
to increase the rate of roll-out
hospital will ensure that our people
Royal Navy personnel based
of terminals and to deliver the
are cared for in an environment
upon their leadership and
remaining software.”
that is conducive to their recovery
management qualifications and
DII will eventually incorporate
and wellbeing.
experience, with points being
15,000 terminals at over 2,000
“All of this amongst the
awarded depending on the
sites, including ships, at a cost of
most modern facilities of their
applicant’s track record.
over £6 billion.
kind in Europe, and all under
The length of the course will
Project managers had hoped to
the continuing care of the joint
depend on existing educational
have 62,800 terminals in place by
NHS and military staff of the
qualifications and professional
July 2007, but by June 2008 just
Birmingham Hospitals.”
experience.
under 35,000 had been delivered.
As was the case with the old
To receive an introductory
military hospitals, civilian patients
guide and an application form,
Memorial
will also be admitted to the ward
contact the Learning at Work
when capacity allows, although the
Office at the University of
design of the new facility means
Portsmouth (UoP), telephone
short-listed
that, with the exception of major
023 9284 6261/6260, email
civilian emergencies, military
learningatwork@port.ac.uk
patients can be cared for in single
The office is located in Room
THE Armed Forces Memorial,
rooms or small wards rooms that
0.05 on the ground floor of
which forms part of the National
are not shared with civvies. Anglesea Building, and is part of
Memorial Arboretum, near
The intention is to provide more the Faculty of Technology at the
Lichfield in Staffordshire, has
nursing staff – a combined team of University of Portsmouth.
been short-listed for a prestigious
military and civilian nurses – than The office provides the
award by the National Lottery.
would normally be found on an information point for students
The memorial, which received
NHS ward, both to support the and deals with all general course
£2.4 million of Lottery money,
military ethos and in recognition administration.
commemorates the 16,000
of the fact that military casualties Students enrol in September or
Servicemen and women who have
may have complex needs and may February, and applications may
been killed on duty or as a result
remain in for longer periods. be made at any time, though a
of terrorism since the end of World
The current military-managed clear five or six weeks is needed
War 2. ward at Selly Oak has been before enrolment to ensure
The award recognises the UK’s developed over the past couple sufficient time to plan studies.
favourite Lottery-funded projects, of years by the MOD and the The cost of the Award will
in order to celebrate the difference Birmingham Hospital Trust, depend on the course of study
these projects have made to and military nursing numbers
● Marine Peter Dunning, injured in Afghanistan, undergoes physiotherapy at Selly Oak Hospital
chosen but the Award is to be
people’s lives. increased from 12 to 39. Picture: Stuart Bingham, 5 Div self-funded by individuals.
Pontin’s offers free holiday breaks
Flagging up a new
PONTIN’S holiday resorts are
free holidays is very generous and
giving away 2,500 free breaks
I am sure that Service personnel
charity fundraiser
to Service personnel and their
will be very appreciative.”
families worth around £470,000
Peter Raith, from A RETIRED airman has come times,” he said.
via www.forcesdiscounts-mod.
Forcesdiscounts-mod.co.uk up with a way of raising money “I have had over 30 years
co.uk
(Crest Publications) said: “We for charity while flying the flag.
experience in running a mail
The ‘Back in Britain’ campaign,
would like to thank Pontin’s for Former Sqn Ldr Peter Ellis
order company, and can assure
launched last month, has the
going that extra mile and proving is offering people to Drive the
people of an efficient, ethical
approval of the MOD.
such a fantastic offer through Flag to raise funds for Help for
service.”
The four-day family packages
www.forcesdiscounts-mod. Heroes.
To obtain the stickers, which
being offered to the troops include co.uk. He is offering adhesive vinyl measure 10cm by 4cm, send a
accommodation plus nearly 60 “Crest are constantly striving labels bearing a Union Jack stamped addressed envelope,
free activities, including sport, on behalf of the MOD to attract and GB logo, which some are stating how many pairs of
outdoor pursuits, live music and new discounts and benefits from using to demonstrate their stickers you require, to Peter
shows every evening, competitions, companies wanting to reward the patriotism by covering the EU Ellis (HH), 2 High Bannerdown,
quizzes and karaoke. Forces for the work that they do”. stars and GB logo on their car Bath BA1 7JY.
“We want to express our Pontin’s has seven centres with number plates. “A donation towards costs
support to the men and women of a capacity of over 18,500 beds. The stickers, according
and Help for Heroes would be
our magnificent Armed Forces for The four-day holiday packages to Sqn Ldr Ellis, are “legal,
most welcome,” he added.
their bravery and dedication at this are being offered free to serving durable and stylish,” and will
most difficult time of demanding Regular and Reserve Royal Navy raise money for the Service
operational commitments,” said personnel, as well as Army and rehabilitation unit at Headley ● Pontins Bluecoats get into the holiday mood
Graham Parr, Executive Chairman Royal Air Force men and women, Court through the burgeoning
of Pontin’s. many months and we hope that personnel and their families.” and their families. Help for Heroes charity.
“We acknowledge that many our ‘Back in Britain’ campaign Vice Admiral Peter Wilkinson, Applicants will be chosen at “As an ex-patient of Headley
of our Armed Forces have been will provide a welcome break and Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff random from those who log-on Court, I feel they need our
operating in zones of conflict over much deserved R&R to Service for Personnel, said: “This offer of and register their interest. help in the current difficult
News and information for serving personnel
0038-039_NN_aug.indd 238-039_NN_aug.indd 2 111/7/08 10:24:471/7/08 10:24:47
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