Bulford Healthcare Facility Officially Opened

The Bulford Healthcare Facility was officially opened on Wednesday 15 June by Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Mike Jeng MBE, Area Manager, Defence Primary Health Care (DPHC) Central and Wessex Region.

Delivered under the Army Basing Programme (ABP), this state-of-the-art complex, was completed in Summer 2020 as part of the Project Allenby Connaught Private Finance Initiative contract with Aspire Defence.

The Bulford Healthcare Facility houses the Regional Rehabilitation Unit (RRU), providing Primary Healthcare services to nearly 25,000 service personnel covering the Central and Wessex region; Community Mental Health Care for Service personnel, delivered by the Department for Community Mental Health (DCMH); and the Regional Occupational Health Team (ROHT), delivering a coherent and effective occupational health service.

Major General Richard Clements, Director Basing and Infrastructure said:

‘The completion of this modern, first-class facility is another example of the significant investment across Salisbury Plain, under the ABP, that has truly made a difference for our Service personnel, their families and the local community.’

The facility is nestled in the heart of the fighting Division and in reach of many of their front-line units. It represents the first co-location of three types of specialist services opening a range of exciting possibilities for clinical care pathways and collaboration. Service personnel now have access to a range of resources to address mental health matters and to recover from physical injury.

Air Vice-Marshal Rich Withnall, Director of Defence Healthcare said:

‘This is the first and only combined specialist unit delivering tertiary care, consisting of RRU, DCMH, ROHT in Defence. Having the right infrastructure to enable the provision of professional medical services is paramount to the success of Force Generation and the Bulford Healthcare Facility is an exemplar of this.’

The naming of the Masterman Suite also took place, carried out by Mrs Jo Masterman in memory of her late husband Paul, an integral part of the regional Podiatry team, who passed away from cancer.

Lt Col (Retd) Mike Jeng said:

‘It’s been an honour to cut the ribbon today. This is an excellent facility that I and all who work here are extremely proud of. Not only does it allow more patients to be treated across a greater spectrum, but it also provides the opportunity for staff to be trained across all areas creating a solid staff support network. During the height of COVID 19 the BHF was used as a vaccination centre, in support of the local vaccination clinics for Service personnel, dependants, and entitled civilians.

I’m also very pleased we have been able to dedicate the Masterman Suite to Paul, a valued and much missed member of the team.’

 

 

Allan Thomson, Aspire Defence CEO said:

‘I am delighted to be here today for the official opening of this brand-new fit for purpose facility, delivered by Aspire Defence in partnership with our valued colleagues in the MOD. This exceptional facility showcases what can be achieved when working and delivering together.’