BMH's v NHS.

A reply to Geeky Tai-Tai comment.
- [Part One] -
Thank you kindly for your comment.

In my research and through personal knowledge how Service personnel are treated if they become injured or have to be discharged from their service in the military because of their injury. The treatment they receive from the MOD - [Ministry of Defence] borders on being criminal.

I have read reports about how American injured serving and X service personnel have been treated, very similar to us.

My findings from the research shows that some personnel are dissatisfied with the medical treatment they receive from the NHS - [National Health Service]. I have read and seen that there is one wing of NHS-hospital in Birmingham just for injured servicemen and women. Being staff by civilian nurses and treated by civilian doctors and consultants and only subjected to the civilian rules and regulations. Why the authorities closed down all the UK-based BMH’s - [British Military Hospitals] borders on being scandalous. Some money pinching politician thought it would be a good idea to ‘save’ money. [I believe the medical wing at RAF Lynham has now been closed as well -Why?].

Some service personnel who are suffering from some traumatic experience and some deemed to be medically unfit because of their injuries are placed on the NHS-waiting list and its taken some of them 18-months to get the appropriate treatment.

Im not given to commenting on controversial points of view for what is going on around and effects me, but one thing that I get annoyed at are those pundits who sit in their arm chairs in the comfort of their homes or the Political Correct people who think that their comments and views are correct, or the politician who stand up and spout off some verbal diarrhoea about our armed forces.

They have never experienced any thing in their sad lives other then being British and living in the UK where we live a life of freedom. Most of them have very pleasant homes, have a family, possible 2.5-children and from the comfort of their arm chairs trying to put the world to rights. The politicians, who in the House of Parliament stand up criticise and demean our Armed Forces. [Oh yes, there are some]. ....

These people who are so quick to criticise our soldiers and cut back defence spending one of which is the amenities for injured service personnel. Have they ever seen their Mates with their faces half blown away with one eye hanging down on one slim thread, or their intestine hanging out of their stomachs and you are desperately trying very hard to push them back in and stemming the flow of blood, or one leg completely missing and you are searching in the undergrowth trying to find the missing limb, who have seen their Mates hacked half to death with a machete . What will live with me for the rest of my life is the sound of a round hitting one of my friends and then his screams of agony, the blood and gore and all you can do is use your field dressing and administer the self injecting morphine shot hoping it will help to take some of the pain away, for an untrained medical person like me other then the very basic field first aid its not very pleasant, but you just get on with it. [On the two occasions when this happen when I was there, thinking to myself, Thank God its you and not me. Callous, selfish, unfeeling, ashamed - No I think not]. ....

I purposely wrote the above three or four paragraphs to highlight the the fact when service personnel suffer an injury it something way out of the experience of the civilian doctors and nurse’s and they don’t understand the mentality of the causality being a service person.

I had a number of occasions when I attended a BMH, many visits and on two occasion for me, one being a serious back injury and the other a negligently discharge round fired by one of my soldiers hitting me in the groin area, lucky enough only a slight wound, a centimetre to the left or right then I would have been in serious trouble, right inner thigh, one centimetre more to the right then I would now only have one daughter instead of two. - [Lucky me}.

When will the people, who are in a position to make changes relies that Service personnel what to be treated by their own kind in a hospital for service men and women that way they will be understood, what makes them ‘tick’.

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QARANC & BMH’s - Part 2.

The QARANC and BMH’s
- [Part Two] -

When ever you are in a country where there are nasty creepy crawlies you never placed your boots or clothing on the ground, you always hang them on a line slung between the tent posts. This particular occasion one of my Sgts washed his trousers and laid them over the fly sheet of a 160-lbs tent to dry. ....

Next morning when he got up putting on his freshly washed trousers, exclaimed, Shit “I’ve just been bitten”. With in three minutes he was rolling around on the ground. Delirious. ....

Taking off his trousers we found on his thigh a very large red spot with a puncture mark in the centre. Both Johnny Boy [African Askari] and the Medic were quickly on the scene, when Johnny Boy saw the red spot with the puncture wound he looked inside the trousers and then suddenly pointed to a scorpion, a great big black evil looking thing, ‘Not good wahna, not good”. Johnny Boy picked up a shovel and was just about to beat the living crap of it. “No, No,” I said. - [I had been taught if anyone got bitten always try and capture the ‘thing’ and take it in so the medical staff could identify what kind of medication to use, also to restrain with minimal force any moment from the causality thus helping the heart not to pump blood around the body at a faster rate - makes sense to me]. ....

We tied up the trousers by knotting each leg and drawing up the waist band so we captured the scorpion. ....

The white faced medical orderly said there was nothing he could do and that we should get him to the BMH - [British Military Hospital] as soon possible. ....

The Army Landrover Ambulance is not the best of vehicles to travel in, especially if you are in the back, whether as a patient or passenger. I did once, as a passenger and that was once to many. We loaded up the ambulance with the Sgt, Med Ord and two of my soldiers. .....

The BMH 60-miles away in Nairobi, 25-miles across open country, joining up with the main Nairobi to Mombassa highway, and then heading into Nairobi. With our ‘Blue’s and Two’s on, going into and through the Nairobi traffic, scattering cars to the left and right, reached the BMH. [1-hour it took]. ....

Screeching to halt in front of Main Reception of the BMH., I walked through the main doors up to the reception desk closely followed by my two young soldiers and with a fireman's chair carrying my Sgt together with the Med Ordly. ....

At reception a Corporal, sitting there in front of a typewriter, with a KD starched uniform, “Name, Rank, Army Number, Unit, etc. I demanded some medical attention immediately. “Name, Rank, Army Number, Unit, was the reply. I might add that there was no recognition of my rank. I resisted the temptation to reach over the counter, grab the said Corporal round the throat and give him a good thumping .....

I could hear in the background the moaning sounds come from my Sgt, so I knew he was still with us. It had been one and half hours now since he had been bitten, also managed to survive riding in the back of an Army Landrover Ambulance for an hour. ....

I can’t say that I was worried but I was a getting more and more concerned. ....

Now I don’t normally loose my Harry Rag, but on this occasion I did, right then, I’m sorry to say that my usual cool, calm and collective approach to any situation was fast becoming exhausted, and with a loud voice once again demanded some medical attention. ....

Then WOW. ....

Standing by my side not more than 6-foot away was this magnificent LADY - My world stood still for the next ten seconds, not a sound, everything froze, nothing moved, the world had come to a stop,seemed like an eternity at the time. There she stood, hands on hips, magnificent, fantastic, resplendent, A QARANC Captain - [Queens Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps]. ‘Mam’ was standing there all five foot of her. ....

Now I don’t suppose many of the readers of this blog entry will every have seen any QARANC nurses let alone Sisters, they are absolutely ‘Angles’, hearts of gold, but you don’t ‘mess’ around with the ‘Sisters', I’ve seen the biggest and bravest soldiers quake in their presence.

Five foot of feminine presence. ....

Her grey blueish eyes looking at me, making eye contact all the time, like two laser beams, I just couldn’t resist the temptation to look her up and down. Her starched white ‘cap’ over her hair, there was just a hint of greyishness there, the round face with little makeup and those grey blueish eyes. A red cape over her shoulder and three pips on the epaulettes, greyish dress with creases that were so sharp you could cut your fingers on, black low heeled shoes, She wore a row of medal ribbons and a gold watch hanging down . ....

My Goddess spoke, “WHAT'S going on here”. I told her my Sgt had been bitten by a scorpion about one and a half hours ago, desperately trying to remember everything the Med Ord had told me, heart beat, respiratory system. What happened next was that my ‘Goddess’ just seemed to raise her hand, nurses, porters, medical attendants appeared out of thin air, placing my Sgt on a trolley and wheeled him away. ....

“What makes you think it was a scorpion bite”? she asked One of my soldiers stepped forward and threw the trousers at her and said, “Because the bloody thing is still in there”. My Goddess bent down and picked up the trousers turned and started to walk away. I gave her one of my best Sunday salutes, She saluted back and said, “I’ll have that soldiers name”.

I never did meet up with my goddess again even though I visited my Sgt on a couple of occasion.

The Army’s Angles:

Army nurses are based in Medical Centres where they work with Army GPs in Field Hospitals. Some nurses have even had the opportunity to travel to such places as New Zealand, Australia, Kenya or South Africa. There are also army nurses and HCAs currently working in Field Hospitals and with Medical Regiments in Afghanistan and Iraq and they have also been involved in humanitarian work in Rwanda and Angola. In essence, everywhere the Army goes you will be sure to find QA nurses and HCAs ready to care for injured soldiers.

Thank God they do.

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Buffoons-Westminster.

- I’m Bloody disgusted -

This is part of my ‘Petition’, [“Britain failing its armed forces”] I’m preparing at the moment with the intentions of sending it to the chief buffoon in his lair up in Westminster, I have no doubt that it wont do any good but at least I’m trying to make my thoughts and feelings felt.

Is Britain failing its armed forces?

Britain has failed to live up to its duty of care to its servicemen and women, the Royal British Legion has claimed [and I do]. But what kind of deal exists between the UK and its armed forces? When soldiers risk their lives "for Queen and country" what can they expect in return? - [Very little].

Over generations, an unspoken pact emerged between society and the military. - [True].

If you are prepared to make terrible sacrifices, we told our soldiers, then you and your families will be looked after and treated fairly. - [Not true].

The concept may have existed for a long time (some say its origins can be traced back to the time of Henry VIII), but a written "military covenant" has only existed since 2000, and then only for the army. - [Really, well its a piss poor covenant].

Its core principles are taken to apply across all three services.

In Army Doctrine Publication, Volume 5, the covenant warns soldiers they may be called upon to make "the ultimate sacrifice" and "forgo some of the rights enjoyed by those outside the Armed Forces." - [What rights are these].

But in return, it says: "British soldiers must always be able to expect fair treatment, to be valued and respected as individuals, and that they (and their families) will be sustained and rewarded by commensurate terms and conditions of service."

[Yeah, Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, 23, was injured by a land-mine in September. He is reportedly one of the most seriously injured soldiers to survive].

Payment for injuries: Loss of legs - £115,000, Brain injury - £34,500, Fractures to arm - £2,650, Remaining 34 injuries - no payment

He lost both his legs as well as suffering a brain injury, fractures to his skull, cheekbone, nose, jaw, pelvis and vertebrae, as well as serious damage to his spleen and chest.

The paratrooper, who will need special medical care for the rest of his life, was awarded £152,150. A derisory amount, bloody disgusting].

Six years later the military covenant is under strain. [Now there’s a surprise!!!].

The Royal British Legion, which represents the interests of Britain's serving and former military personnel, has warned that government is in danger of not honouring its part of the bargain. [When has it ever?].

On the eve of the party conference season, and with a general election possibly looming, the Legion is urging the public to lobby for improvements in compensation, physical and mental healthcare and support for bereaved families. [They will promise all and then do nothing].

The military, and particularly the army, is facing extreme pressures. [When haven’t they]

Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have, of course, resulted in death and injury. But they have also put a sometimes harsh spotlight on how the government supports service personnel and their families.

Bereaved families waiting years for inquests; soldiers returning from tough tours of duty to shabby accommodation; soldiers suffering post-traumatic stress disorder and feeling let down by the system: a steady flow of such stories in recent years have caused senior military commanders to wonder if the covenant is in danger of being abused.

When local residents living near a military rehabilitation centre in Surrey objected to a nearby property being converted to accommodate family members visiting injured relations, some wondered if society as a whole was in danger of turning its back on the military. [Disgusting, NIMBY - they should be ashamed of themselves].

The Legion is demanding improvements in three key areas: physical and mental healthcare, support for bereaved families and compensation for those who are injured.

This last issue was highlighted by the case of Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson whose award of £150,000 for severe multiple injuries was criticised by his family and campaigners.

The Legion says there are still "fundamental problems" with a new armed forces compensation scheme introduced in 2005.

It says awards are not generous enough and it condemns the fact that in cases of multiple injury lump sum payments can only be made for three of them. [Why only three?]

Following the publicity surrounding Lance Bombardier Parkinson's compensation award, the MoD launched a review of similar cases.

Armed forces minister Bob Ainsworth says "significant progress" is being made in many of the areas highlighted by the Royal British Legion, but he admits that "fulfilling our part of the deal is not always easy and takes both time and money". [Significant progress is being made - Yeah, what? - "fulfilling our part of the deal is not always easy and takes both time and money". - That statement just about sums up what the buffoons think of our Armed Force’s - Take as much time settling the claim, perhaps it might go away. Amount of compensation, the least amount possible and then let them fight for more - Right!]

Words and report by Paul Adams BBC defence correspondent - Italics are mine.

Note: One more post to come: 'Army chief warns of social 'gulf''.

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Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Bill and Hillary Clinton planning Irish fundraiser

He first came to help bring peace to Northern Ireland, but the next time Bill Clinton visits Ireland will be to fill a £249m election war chest.

His wife, Hillary, is aiming to become the first woman US president.

The Republican and Democrat parties are expected to choose their presidential candidates in early 2008, before the election in November.
The Clinton campaign aims to hold a fundraiser targeting Democrat supporters living in Ireland. Irish-born publisher Niall O'Dowd, who is on the finance committee of the Clinton campaign team, believes Hillary has a lot of support among ex-pats in Ireland.

"I know there is a plan by the Clinton campaign to hold a fundraiser in Ireland for American citizens and green card holders," he said.

Obama

"There is a view that raising money abroad is actually an option now because there is such intense pressure to raise money within the US for all the political parties.

"A fundraiser in Ireland could actually work very well for Hillary Clinton because there is a tremendous amount of support among ex-pat Americans here for her."

The Clinton campaign team is currently raising money at the rate of £6m a month.

It is not clear if fellow Democratic Party candidate Barack Obama, who has ancestral links to Monegall, County Tipperary, aims to fund raise in Ireland.

"It has become a game of money raising, not really politics and that is the sad thing about what is happening in American politics," Mr O'Dowd told RTE Radio.

"Constant, constant fund raising is taking over the message of what is happening in healthcare, in Iraq.

"The obsession within the campaigns is 'get the money in the bank'."

The former US president made several high-profile interventions in the Northern Ireland peace talks.

Last year he attended the Ryder Cup tournament in County Kildare and also spoke at a "leadership seminar" in Dublin's Burlington Hotel costing £675 a head.

Source: BBC-news.

My comment: I honestly didn’t know that ‘they’ were going to visit the UK before I posted my ‘Bill Clinton’ post - I wonder if they read my posting and are taking my advice? [!!!!!!] - I think age, time and money precludes me from going over to Ireland to be a paparazzo. I wish them ‘Good Luck’ with the fund raising.

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Answer to Geeky Tai-Tai.

- Comment answer to Geeky Tai-Tai -
Geeky Tai-Tai - Good day to you.
Thank you kindly for your comment.

Waste of any kind always makes me annoyed - I was going to say, ‘too get cross’, but I don’t allow myself to feel that emotion.

That amount of money wasted especially as part of it is my money makes me wonder if my voting to change over to a new authority was such a good thing.

My battle plan is drawn up, - [armed with all the necessary facts and figures] the committee will get both barrels. I’ve done my homework.

Its not my way to shout and become abusive but I go very quiet, speak very clearly, question and question. I admit I am looking forward to the confrontation.

I realise the only good that will come out of it is possibly will make them sit up and take notice and that future ‘waste’ will be avoided.

Will report on the outcome.

Side Note: I am very impressed with your Stickam that I am experimenting with now, I think I may only use it for my children/grand children and not for general viewing, I feel that anyone looking at my ugly mug might be ‘put off’ from ever visiting my blog page again.

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