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A state-of-the-art rehabilitation centre built by VIVO Defence Services for military personnel with musculoskeletal injuries has been officially opened in a special ceremony at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire by Air Vice-Marshal David McLoughlin, the Director of Defence Healthcare.
The new RAF Waddington Primary Care Rehabilitation Facility (PCRF) – which has been in operation since October – will provide physiotherapy and exercise rehabilitation services for military personnel at the 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.
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).
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.
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.”
VIVO Defence Services – a 50/50 joint venture between Equans and Serco – provides facilities management, maintenance, grounds maintenance and project management for the UK military and its partners on behalf of DIO.
