Troop rehabilitation centre could come to Notts
NOTTS could become home to a new national rehabilitation centre for wounded British troops.
The Duke of Westminster has bought the Stanford Hall estate so it can be tested for its suitability as the country's first Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre (DNRC).
The estate, at Stanford-on-Soar near East Leake, was previously owned by Chek Whyte, whose property empire collapsed with debts of more than £30 million.
The location has been chosen in part due to its proximity to the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Royal College of Defence Medicine in Birmingham.
The new facility – which could also treat civilians – would be bigger and more modern than the existing Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) at Headley Court in Epsom, Surrey.
A spokesperson for the Duke of Westminster said: "If the project succeeds it is the Duke's intention to donate the site to the project in addition to making a further major contribution to the cause.
"The project focuses on the future of clinical rehabilitation in the UK, both military and civilian.
"The core of such an establishment would be a military rehabilitation facility which could provide the catalyst for national rehabilitative resources – there are particularly promising opportunities in the fields of research and disabled sport and the full potential of a DNRC could be considerable.
"As part of the project, a planning application will need to be developed and submitted to Rushcliffe Borough Council, for approval."
The Duke of Westminster has been involved in the project to create a DNRC for two years, having funded a feasibility study between 2009 and 2010.
The Stanford Hall estate is about four times the size of Headley Court, where further expansion would be limited.
Former defence Secretary Liam Fox, in a written ministerial statement on Thursday, before he resigned, said: "While the existing rehabilitation facility at Headley Court is admired for achieving remarkable results for those injured in conflict, it is important that defence is in a position to benefit to the maximum degree from advances in technology and science.
"Realising the full benefits of such advances will not be possible in the medium to long term because of the physical constraints of Headley Court and will require purpose-built facilities."
Defence Medical Services (DMS), which is responsible for the provision of rehabilitation, runs rehabilitation facilities in barracks and stations for the treatment of minor cases.
More serious conditions are referred to one of 13 Regional Rehabilitation Units (RRUs) in the UK, and two in Germany.
Like Headley Court, the Stanford Hall facility would deal with more complex rehabilitation and physiotherapy.
However, Headley Court does not treat civilians.
The DNRC project team will be working with Rushcliffe Borough Council to agree a programme for community consultation and involvement.
This will include a public exhibition of the proposals and the opportunity to comment on and contribute to the scheme.
If a decision is made to proceed with the facility it could be completed by 2017.
No decision has been made about the future of Headley Court and investment will continue there in the meantime.
12 Comments
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by MmmmB
Monday, October 17 2011, 10:44AM
“Hello Turtle, i'm very much aware that my taxes are spent on many, many things that I don't approve of, including the funding of illegal State activities. Unfortunately we, the electorate, are not deemed trustworthy enough to handle the distribution of our wealth. It's left to, ahem, 'better' men. But this doesn't mean that I have to be happy or silent about the way that they do it. Silence is, after all, the same as approval.
Oh, and it's not my "so called" illegal war. An act is illegal if it occurs in contravention to a particular law or laws. Opinion is irrelevant, the protagonist either breaks the law or doesn't. You may be ignorant of the laws that apply to war but you shouldn't assume that everyone else is.
The prospect of having such a facility in Notts is not a worthy one. It will almost certainly contribute to the continuation of the war in Afghanistan just as it will serve as a propaganda tool for the council, government and media beneficiaries of the war. It'll also undoubtedly be used as a means of continuation of the degradation of the NHS. There are more than adequate facilities in this city to treat any and all medical needs. The only problem, as most people are aware, is the way in which our medical services are run.
Supporting this facility is foolhardy at best.”
by Turtle9000
Sunday, October 16 2011, 11:33PM
“@MmmmB do you know the origins of income tax and what it was set up for?
If not :
An income tax was levied in Britain by William Pitt the Younger in his budget of December 1798, to pay for weapons and equipment in preparation for the Napoleonic wars. Pitt's new graduated income tax began at a levy of 2d in the pound (0.8333%) on annual incomes over £60 and increased up to a maximum of 2s in the pound (10%) on incomes of over £200 (£170,542 in 2007). Pitt hoped that the new income tax would raise £10 million (£8,527,100,000 in 2007), but actual receipts for 1799 totaled just over £6 million.
It is possible whether you like it or not that your taxes, along with everyone else's taxes go towards the cost of funding British troops in your so called 'illigal wars'.
The prospect of having such a facility in Notts is a worthy one which as the report stated will also treat civilains as well as service personnel. You might be one of those civilians who requires specialist help in the future one can never tell.”
by BLawrenson
Sunday, October 16 2011, 9:58PM
“Yes "MmmmB" I do find your comments unpleasant and I would find it less than favourable for my taxes to benefit you rather than wounded servicemen and women and their families. You are entitled to your opinion but I consider it misconceived and unwarranted.”
by MmmmB
Sunday, October 16 2011, 9:57AM
“Hi John_Carlton, yes I pay taxes (sorry to have to betray your prejudices like that) and yes, i take the view that we're responsible for the forseeable consequences of our actions (and inactions) - that's the 'extremist' view, right?”
by John_Carlton
Saturday, October 15 2011, 9:27PM
“MmmmB,
Do you actually pay any taxes? In my expeience people with such extremist views as yours seldom do.”
by MmmmB
Saturday, October 15 2011, 8:34PM
“Sorry that you find my comments 'unpleasant', BLawrenson. I would have thought it quite reasonable to be at least a little disgruntled at the prospect of having to financially support people involved in illegal wars. Perhaps you're not troubled by such matters. I hope your taxes are 'never used to support or provide treatment for' me either, although i'm sure even you would agree that that's a more favourable use of your taxes than having them spent on war criminals, yes?”
by BLawrenson
Saturday, October 15 2011, 8:05PM
“I do hope my taxes are never used to support or provide treatment for "MmmmB". What a pity that this glitch the site is experiencing posted his unpleasant comments thrice.”
by MmmmB
Saturday, October 15 2011, 7:25PM
“Will this place be rehabilitating participants in the illegal war in Afghanistan? I don't want my taxes to contribute to such a hospital if it is. I don't want to support war crimes or those who particpate in them thank you very much, no matter how hysterically the tabloids and locals become over their beloved, obedient State murderers or 'heroes' as they call them...etc”
by MmmmB
Saturday, October 15 2011, 7:23PM
“Will this place be rehabilitating participants in the illegal war in Afghanistan? I don't want my taxes to contribute to such a hospital if it is. I don't want to support war crimes or those who particpate in them thank you very much, no matter how hysterically the tabloids and locals become over their beloved, obedient State murderers or 'heroes' as they call them...etc”
by MmmmB
Saturday, October 15 2011, 7:22PM
“Will this place be rehabilitating participants in the illegal war in Afghanistan? I don't want my taxes to contribute to such a hospital if it is. I don't want to support war crimes or those who particpate in them thank you very much, no matter how hysterically the tabloids and locals become over their beloved, obedient State murderers or 'heroes' as they call them...etc”