New £300 defence rehabilitation centre could soon host NHS services

The new Armed Forces’ rehabilitation centre could soon provide on-site NHS services offering world-leading care for civilians.

The £300 million Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre (DNRC), which was created thanks to the vision of the 6th Duke of Westminster, was formally gifted to the nation by his son at a ceremony attended by the Duke of Cambridge and the Prime Minister.

The current Duke of Westminster, Hugh Grosvenor, had spoken of his father Gerald Grosvenor’s view that the site should house the best of both military and civilian medical facilities, so best practice – and benefits to patients – could be shared.

He said he was “thrilled” to be able to deliver on the vision of his father, who served in the Reserve Army for 40 years, of what he called “a British project that is about leading the way, not following”.

“All the same, it shouldn’t be me speaking to you, it should be my father and of course I wish it were,” he added.

The duke said: “In Iraq and Afghanistan he saw with his own eyes how heavy the price paid for the armed services can be and he was determined to do something unique for those who had paid it.

“He said ‘I wanted somewhere where a young man or woman could drive up the drive, and say ‘wow, someone is actually going to look after me’.”

He then spoke of creating a “dual facility” for the military and civilians, sharing best practice, adding it was an “opportunity to do something unique, something better than anything, anywhere, but that can also be imitated all over the world”.

The duke added: “I hope that the DNRC’s full potential can be realised and, if that happens, it will be a remarkable legacy.”

In her speech, Prime Minister Theresa May said: “On behalf of the nation, it is a great honour to accept the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre, and I want to say a huge thank you.”

She added: “The bravery and devotion to duty of our Armed Forces is a constant source of pride and inspiration.

“And just as they face grave dangers on our behalf, so too we must do everything we possibly can when they are injured in combat, or during the course of training.”

She too also spoke of “further opportunities for partnership” between the NHS and the military.

The Prime Minister said: “Of course, the vision that gave rise to the Stanford Hall Estate – was not just to do something for our servicemen and women.

“It was also to ensure that civilians who have experienced major trauma can also benefit from the first-rate facilities here.

“For decades, the military has pioneered innovations in health care: from facial reconstruction in the Second World War, to trauma treatment in more recent conflicts.

“So it is absolutely right that the NHS and the Armed Forces continue working together – and that the NHS can learn from the Stanford Hall Estate’s ground-breaking work in rehabilitation, and in training the next generation of NHS medics.

“That’s why the local NHS and Midlands’ Engine are looking at further opportunities for partnership – and the NHS is considering whether facilities at the estate could be developed to support civilian NHS services and what additional opportunities there may be in training, research and education.

“And all of this of course will support the vision of the NHS of the future, a vision that will see the NHS deliver a long-term plan to secure its future – ensuring that everyone will receive the right care, in the right setting, at the right time – just as the estate will provide the specialised care needed for the patients who come here.”

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