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The Chief Medical Officer attends launch of new national Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards scheme

Sir Liam Donaldson speaking at the launch of the Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards

On 12 May 2008, the Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, attended the launch of the new national Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards scheme at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

The Chief Medical Officer, along with Sir Bill Jeffrey, Permanent Secretary at the MoD, and Surgeon General Louis Lillywhite launched the scheme and the event opened the nomination process for entries.

The health partnership awards are intended to recognise the people, both military and civilian, working within the Defence Medical Services, NHS, charity or private sector, and the excellent healthcare services they provide to UK Armed Forces, veterans and their dependants.

Speaking at the launch, Sir Liam said,

"The NHS and Defence Medical Services have a very close and productive relationship. DMS personnel working in NHS Trusts bring the best of the forces to NHS and the best of the NHS to the forces…

…These Awards are the opportunity to acknowledge the excellent providers of healthcare to members of the armed forces and their families. Taking care of our service men and women is our responsibility and it is right that we recognise the people that deliver that care.”

The Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards scheme is a joint venture between the Ministry of Defence (MoD), DH, the Welsh Assembly, the Scottish Government, and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for Northern Ireland. The MOD will act as the host department for 2008.