Examination of Witnesses (Questions 260-263)
DR J GORDON
PATERSON OBE
11 OCTOBER 2007
Q260 Chairman: Is the Surgeon-General's
invitation not sufficient?
Dr Paterson: No. Unfortunately,
we can only do what our contract says. That sounds like a jobsworth's
response, I do apologise. Certainly we cannot exceed our operational
locations as described in the contract.
Q261 Chairman: How would you think
that looking at the use of St John and the Red Cross things could
be improved for Service personnel? What would be your overall
approach to making things better?
Dr Paterson: I think the organisation
is invisible. I suspect all the members of the Committee had never
heard of us. Sadly, even in the higher ranks of the military many
people have never heard of us. The people who really hear about
us and sing our praises are the people in the hospital units and
the Commanding Officers and the people who use the service. Our
profile and awareness needs to be raised.
Q262 Chairman: That is a matter for
you, is it not?
Dr Paterson: Well, it is, but
I think there is a communication process within the military.
I also think the artificial barriers to the passage of information
should be broken down. We are willing to go anywhere that our
services are required, whether it is in Germany, Cyprus or the
UK. We have got two welfare officers in Iraq at the moment and
two in Afghanistan who are fully respected members of the team.
I just feel that the people who have been operating in that environment
and come back to the UK do feel very frustrated that the skills
they have exercised in the theatre of war are not used in a more
civilian setting in the UK.
Chairman: Thank you. Willie Rennie,
and then I think we ought to move on.
Q263 Willie Rennie: Who provides
welfare support for those at Headley Court? I know you do not
but do other organisations?
Dr Paterson: I have no idea.
Chairman: Dr Paterson, thank you very
much indeed. We are most grateful to you for coming pretty much
at the last moment actually. Thank you very much.
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