Air Commodore Batchelor inspecting the graduating Royal Centre for Defence Medicine personnel [Picture: Cpl Dave Benovsky-Fergus, RAF].
The graduating students parade in front of the band of the Hussars and Light Dragoons [Picture: Cpl Dave Benovsky-Fergus, RAF].
Air Commodore Batchelor talking to Private Lisa Brophy, Best Military Student [Picture: Cpl Dave Benovsky-Fergus, RAF].

Forty-one Military Nurses and Operating Department Practitioners have celebrated their degrees and diplomas at a Passing Out Parade at the landlocked HMS FORWARD in central Birmingham.  The students graduated from the Defence School of Health Care Studies at UCE (University of Central England) Birmingham.

The autumn sun broke through the clouds just long enough for Air Commodore Tony Batchelor, RAF, Commandant of the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM) to take the salute from the students, accompanied by the Band of the Hussars and Light Dragoons.

This was the second such passing out parade for students from the Defence School of Health Care Studies.  The first full cohort of students graduated from the school in September 2004 with considerable success, when of those completing the BSc (Hons) programme, 33% achieved a 1st Class Honours award, far outreaching the national average of 5%.  Of the Diploma of Higher Education students, 58% achieved a commendation or above. 

Commander Caroline Williams, Queen Alexandra's Royal Navy Nursing Service, Head of the Defence School of Health Care Studies at UCE Birmingham said:

"Today marks a staging post for these students - they're moving on from not only being professional health care trainees but also moving on to their military lives.  For them, in addition to the university graduation ceremony, this ceremony marks their move into military healthcare as qualified professionals.  They have been excellent students and it is testament to their hard work, tenacity and commitment and to the excellence of their achievement and their training that they have passed out at HMS FORWARD."

Professor George Castledine, Professor of Nursing, UCE Birmingham said:

"Military students bring something special to the University and to the community of Birmingham.  They bring a certain presence, identity and dedication, which we have admired and always enjoyed when we have taught them.  I congratulate them all and wish them well in their military careers."

Air Commodore Batchelor presented a medal for long service and good conduct to Lance Corporal Simon Walls, from Broughton, North Yorkshire.  Lance Corporal Walls has spent 18 years in the Army, the majority of time as a musician in the Royal Corps of Signals Band, serving in Northern Ireland, Germany, Cyprus, USA, Sweden, France and Bosnia, before deciding to retrain as a military nurse.

Professor George Castledine presented the Commandant's prize for the Best Military Student to Private Lisa Brophy of the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps from St Albans, Hertfordshire for the fine example she set to other students.  Private Brophy achieved a first class honours degree with a mark of 77% and proved herself to be highly competent student, with an excellent ability to convert research into practice and to be a credible patient advocate.  She was also heavily involved in representing her Corps in sporting activities during her time at UCE Birmingham.

The students will also be invited to attend their formal graduation ceremony from UCE Birmingham in February 2006.

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Related links:

• Defence Medical Services
• HMS Forward
• Royal Centre for Defence Medicine
• University of Central England