By Gordon Berry

A BID to recognise the partnership between members of the Defence Medical Services and civilian healthcare professionals in providing care for service personnel, veterans and their dependents was launched yesterday at RAF Leuchars during a visit by Scottish health minister, Shona Robison.

The Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards have been established jointly by the secretaries of state for health and defence.

Ms Robison said, “I really want to encourage those who feel they may be eligible for an award to give serious consideration to entering.

“Not only will they receive national recognition for their achievements, but their best practice will be highlighted and shared across the UK,” she said.

Also attending the event were Scottish-based military medics, including Squadron Leader Sam Potter, who was mentioned in dispatches for his work in Basra.

Mr Potter, who lives in Drumoig and who is based at RAF Leuchars, was said to have shown “true courage” while serving in Iraq, where his actions included delivering life-saving care while under enemy fire.

He also raced to the aid of RAF casualties injured in a fire-fight as rounds struck the ground around him, and he risked his life in a vain attempt to save someone trapped in a burning vehicle.

Yesterday he said the support given for the new award scheme and the strong relationship with the support agencies and the NHS is “fantastic.”

He said the work carried out by medical teams provides reassurance to front-line service personnel who know a team with medical expertise can be on the scene within minutes.

Others in attendance included two service personnel with very local connections.

One of them, naval reservist Sub-Lieutenant Audrey Johnston—one of three sisters who are all in the services—has been working as a nurse in the burns and plastic surgery unit at Ninewells Hospital, but who now wants to take her skills into the field.

Captain Lorraine Henderson, of the 225 General Support Medical Regiment, based in Dundee, said she has also been closely involved with burns victims, and that she had trained and worked in Aberdeen.

She comes from Montrose and has just taken up a full-time administration reservist post with the regiment.

Captain Henderson said she will maintain her nursing registration and return to the practical side of the profession at a later date.

One person who was a recipient of the medical services on offer is Lieutenant Jim Berry of the 1st Batallion, The Royal Irish Regiment, who was severely injured in 2006 in Afghanistan when a grenade exploded.

A piece of shrapnel entered his right eye and went into his brain, causing him to lose the sight of that eye and to suffer neurological problems as a result of the shrapnel.

Mr Berry, who was unable to attend the Leuchars event, has now learned to walk again and has received rehabilitation treatment at Headley Court during the past 18 months.

“I can’t really remember what happened after the grenade went off, but I know I am alive because of the swift medical care I received—both immediately on the ground in Sangin and thereafter from the Army Medical Services and NHS.

“On returning to the UK, I spent six weeks in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham before moving to Headley Court.

“The service I received there has been second to none—I learned how to walk again, and after only four months I was able to return to work to a similar position I held before.

“I look forward to returning to full duty abroad soon and am extremely grateful to all who’ve helped me get this far,” he said.

As the news was being announced at RAF Leuchars, the defence secretary Des Brown was attending a similar event at the Royal Hospital in London.

The awards are open to military or civilian members of the Defence Medical Services, NHS or independent sector health care professionals—either on an individual or team basis—who have benefited from the care of a member or members of the armed forces.

More information, including details of how to nominate people for awards, is available on the Military and Civilian Health Partnership website at www.dmsd.mod.uk, or by contacting the helpline on 020 7807 8125.

The closing date for nominations is July 5, and a national ceremony to announce the winners will be held at the Royal Hospital on October 23.