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MAINSIGHT is published periodically by the� �Defence Medical Association (Vancouver Island Branch) to inform and up date members on issues of interest concerning the Canadian Forces Medical Services. Views expressed are those of contributors and do not necessarily reflect official opinion or Department of National Defence policy.
Branch Executive:�President LCol (Rtd) Wayne Dauphinee
Vice President HLCol Al McLean
Secretary/Treasurer Col( Rtd) Ada Arthur
Special Projects CWO (Rtd) Dick Orman
Former Victoria Physician Awarded OMM
Lieutenant Colonel Maureen Fensom, formerly of 11 (Victoria) Medical Company, has been awarded the Order of Military Merit (OMM) for her service to Canada, both at home and abroad, as a member of both the Regular and Reserve Forces since 1972. Under her command, 11 (Victoria) Medical Company won the Shillington Trophy in 1988 and the Ryerson Trophy in 1989. A Gulf War veteran, she was commended for her actions while a member of 1 Canadian Field Hospital in support of 1 United Kingdom Armoured Division. Highly respected within the medical profession, she represented Canada at an international conference in Switzerland, where she chaired the plenary session on malaria. She is an outstanding individual, who has set a superb example of civic responsibility, professionalism and leadership.
Medical Officers get pay
In an effort to stem the chronic loss of CF medical and dental officers, a significant pay increase has recently been announced. The raise, which varies by rank between 7.65 and 24.77 percent, is aimed at making military service a competitive alternative to private practice. In announcing the increase, the Minister of National Defence, Art Eggleton, commented that the increase will better reflect the dedication that medical and dental personnel have invested in their education and is fair compensation for their skill sets. Minister Eggleton said, "we are investing in the health and care of every Canadian Forces member." The pay increase closely follows the recently announced Medical and Dental Direct Entry Officer (DEO) Recruitment Allowance. The allowance is an incentive to facilitate the direct entry recruitment of licensed doctors and dentists into the Canadian Forces. Together these incentives will allow the CF to (hopefully) attract and retain highly skilled individuals who can serve Canada in the military. Without such incentives the medical and dental officer shortfall could reach 50 and 39 respectively by June 2000
Branch executive extends for another year
In the absence of any willing volunteers the current Branch Executive, comprised of Wayne Dauphinee, Alan McLean and Ada Arthur, has consented to serve one additional year. CWO (Rtd) Dick Orman will join the committee as Special Projects Coordinator with a view to developing some new activities and focuses for the Branch.
Land Forces Reserve Restructuring
The much heralded and long awaited restructuring of Canada's Land Force continues to be subjected to ongoing review and revision. The current proposal focuses on a fundamental reorientation of the Army Reserve to achieve a more balanced force of combat, combat support and combat service support. While this unlikely to be the final solution it does address many of the concerns consistently voiced by Reservists. Recent operational commitments have clearly demonstrated that Canada does not have the resources to field a viable combat service support structure to support a deployed brigade group size task force under national command. One concept being considered calls for there tasking of surplus combat arms units to combat support or combat service support role. This concept is obviously not popular with the combat arms, particularly the infantry.
DMA renewal: Looking to the future
Over the last 15 years the CFMS has undergone a series of shocks, many external, some self-inflicted. Morale has suffered, and the concept of service before self has weakened. The DMA does not appear to have been a significant factor in helping development or preserving what was good. The DMA can provide a series of benefits that could be well employed in promoting efficiency and in serving the welfare of the CFMS. The ex Regular Force members (the great majority) can provide some limited help in communal memory, for as they develop careers outside the Canadian Forces (CF), their ability to provide a balanced and reasoned input is enhanced. Members of the DMA who have never served in the Regular Force, but are members because of Reserve time, or because of interest are more valuable. Their open minds, contacts, and understanding can be a source of useful developments for the CFMS.
That observation and the following comments are provided by Col (Rtd) Pete Green, the DMA's president elect, a possible means of renewing interest in the DMA both nationally and in the Branches.
Information and Intelligence
For the DMA to have any true value to the CFMS, and the CF, it must have up to date information on the needs, problems and outlook for the organization concerned. This calls for a good flow from the Surgeon General to the DMA, and as good a passage of information to the DMA members. Nobody can help intelligently in the absence of good background information. Therefore the Surgeon General should be asked to provide a senior and well informed contact in the Branch as liaison, and the DMA must increase the flow of well researched and directed commentary to all the members.
Support for the CFMS�
This has to be seen as fruitful, respected and appropriate. Successes must be made known to members of the CFMS (as our source of future members), and to the members of the DMA; to feed their need to feel their input is worth while. Support can come in many forms; by defending the CFMS in print, when serving officers are constrained against writing in their defence, by arguing for a well�funded, well trained military medical service both Regular and Reserve, and by attending functions to show support for a military medical service.
Advertising�
Not by paying for it, as the funds will not be available, but by showing a presence. Letters could be sent to the medical, nursing and pharmacy journals praising the CFMS, signed by members of the DMA. Visits to units by DMA branches could be made to educate both sides about the role of the other. Perhaps a wider distribution of "Starlight" to inform non members of the DMA what is available. Certainly a call for serving members of the military to contribute to "Starlight" could allow greater awareness of current concerns.
Education
This will take the form of current and continually updated news from active duty participants and from retired members telling of their work and adventures. A significant effort will be required as articles will have to be interesting and current to make members feel involved.
Social Events
The social nature of the DMA can be supported by a "News of Members" section in "Starlight," by association with the biennial get together arranged in Ottawa, and by establishing the OPMED conference as a time for reunion as well as learning.
Conclusion
Anything that stays the same sooner or later falls in to irrelevancy. Change is a requirement for any active and vital organization. If Branch members/readers have any suggestions as to how interest in the DMA can be rekindled, please contact Peter Green at [email protected]�
CFMS under scrutiny
The Chief of Review Services (CRS) has been directed to undertake a further review of the CFMS. Specifically, CRS was requested to conduct an independent review and audit of two areas that emerged from a Board of Inquiry. The areas were: first, the ability of the CFMS to provide continuity of care, identify areas of potential improvements and assess it's ability to implement such improvements in the current context of OpPhoenix; and second, the CF policy and process in the assignment of temporary medical categories and the subsequent administrative review action with a view to recommending improvements that will better serve the CF and its members.
Four former Regular Force members of the Vancouver Island Branch were invited to appear before the CRS evaluation team to answer questions based on their experience.
No date has been announced for the formal release of the CRS finding.
Another first for 11 Med Coy�
The appointment of CWO Door Gibson as the new 11 (Victoria) Medical Company Regimental Sergeant Major marks the first time a female has occupy that position appointment. RSM Gibson replaces CWO Dick Orman who retired from the CF after 37 years Regular and Reserve Force service.
Militia Medics provide first aid training
Five members from 11 Medical Company are providing First Aid training for Regular Forces personnel at CFBs Esquimalt and Comox. Over the past few years 11 Med Coy, under the guidance of CWO Dick Orman, has produced a number of qualified first aid instructors and gained a reputation for the quality of the courses they have conducted. In addition to first aid instruction, militia medics are being employed this summer in the MIR at CFB Esquimalt (WorkPoint).
What goes around comes around
Capt Mark Mayo will return to 11 Medical Company this summer to replace Lt (N) John Delaney as the unit Regular Force staff officer. Capt Mayo previously held this position before being posted to MARPA where he was employed with the CFB Esquimalt Base Hospital and Formation Health Services Unit Pacific. John Delaney has been posted to the Canadian Forces Medical Services School as School Adjutant after completing five years with the unit.
BC Paramedic Academy trains CF� medical trainers
Personnel from the BC Justice Institute Paramedic Academy have been contracted to conduct a "train the trainers" program in trauma management for CF Med As. The program is being conducted at the Canadian Forces Medical Services School (CFMSS), CFB Borden. The CFMSS is also in the process of modularizing MedA training so it will be easier for Reserves to take the same program. The new MedA training package should be ready for the Reserves next year.
Branch member elected to CDA executive
LCol (Rtd) Al Scott has been elected Vice President (Pacific) of the Conference of Defence Associations (CDA). In that position he will Chair the Governance and Organization Committee.
BACK
Are you eligible for membership in DMA? If you answer any or all of the following questions "yes", then you may be eligible for active or associate membership.
If you fulfill conditions for membership you may join at our Membership Page. Once your membership fees, currently $55.00 per year, are received as outlined on that page, you will be contacted by the Branch, National Treasurer or National Secretary, and also directed to your nearest Branch for affiliation. DMA is also registered as a Charitable Organization and is in a position to issue tax receipts for donations.
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