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VIVO Defence builds rehabilitation centre for military personnel with musculoskeletal injuries

Land December 13, 2023

A state-of-the-art rehabilitation centre built by VIVO Defence Services for military personnel with musculoskeletal injuries has been officially opened at RAF Waddington.

The purpose-built facility will provide physiotherapy and exercise rehabilitation services for military personnel at the Lincolnshire base.

Musculoskeletal injuries are the leading cause of medical discharge from the UK’s Armed Forces making the new on-site facility a crucial addition at RAF Waddington.

Previously, those with injuries would need to make a 15-minute journey to RAF Cranwell to receive treatment.

Air Vice-Marshal David McLoughlin, the Director of Defence Healthcare, officially opened the new RAF Waddington Primary Care Rehabilitation Facility (PCRF) – which has been in operation since October – at a special ceremony on Wednesday, 6 December.

The single-storey centre houses a whole range of gym and exercise equipment including cycling, jogging rowing, running and weightlifting equipment.

Prior to its new use, it was a tired looking 1960s-built gymnasium, but it has been turned into a much-needed asset for the RAF by VIVO and its supply chain partners on behalf of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), which is part of the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Jerry Moloney, VIVO Defence Services Managing Director, said “It was great for us at VIVO to be involved in this very important project to provide crucial rehabilitation services to RAF personnel and I am particularly proud of the way our team worked so closely with those at the base, DIO and our suppliers to get this superb facility completed. Well done to all.”

Michael Matthews, DIO Regional Delivery Central, added: “The regional delivery team for DIO Central are proud to have taken on the responsibility for delivering a purpose built refurbishment in order to provide essential rehabilitation support to our RAF personnel.

“Working in close collaboration with UKStratCom and Vivo colleagues, the project was delivered to time and cost and has met the standards to provide vital rehabilitation services to RAF Waddington.

The PCRF will enable on-site rehabilitation for armed forces personnel as well as some of their dependants with special needs and other MoD personnel.”

Physiotherapy treatment there will help improve patient’s muscle strength, co-ordination and balance for better mobility and easier movement.

Group Captain Kristian Mears, the Regional Clinical Director for East Region Defence Primary Healthcare, said: “This is a fantastic facility that really allows the rehabilitation team to deliver the quality care they have been achieving for the last four years at Cranwell finally at Waddington in modernised infrastructure that is fit for purpose.”

Flight Lieutenant Geetanjali Bamrah, the Officer Commanding for Waddington Primary Care Rehabilitation Facility, added: “The PCRF has undergone extensive refurbishment and stands as a magnificent, grand and purpose-built facility that supports excellence in clinical delivery and rehabilitation to those serving personnel based at RAF Waddington.

“The new PCRF is outstanding and sets an exemplary standard for the exceptional infrastructure and quality of a rehab facility”

Elaine Firth, the Project lead for East Region Headquarters, said the project ‘showcases the successful collaboration between public and private sectors in delivering essential infrastructure to support service personnel’.

She added: “The project was delivered on time, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the VIVO Defence team and the collaboration with DIO and UK Strategic Command. This facility will serve as a vital resource for service personnel, offering them the highest standard of care and rehabilitation services.”

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musculoskeletal RAF Waddington VIVO Defence Services

Post written by: Matt Brown