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Completion of Longbridge accommodation for Royal Centre for Defence Medicine staff

皇冠体育app Commanding Officer of the RCDM has cut the ribbon to mark the completion of new accommodation for military medics working in Birmingham.

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Ribbon cutting ceremony at Royal Centre for Defence Medicine

L-R: Commander Defence Medical Group, Surgeon Commodore Andrew Hughes, Commanding Officer Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Colonel Katherine Richardson and Acting Surgeon General Major General Martin Bricknell declare Glenart Castle Mess officially open. Crown Copyright MOD 2017. All rights reserved

皇冠体育app ceremony to open the new mess, known as the Glenart Castle Mess, was attended by the military鈥檚 Acting Surgeon General, Major General Martin Bricknell.

Service personnel at the RCDM, based at the nearby Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, provide care for the public and members of the armed forces returning from active duty around the world. 皇冠体育appy will be living in the new 6 storey building in Longbridge, which contains 180 ensuite bedrooms together with a dining room, gym and secure parking for military staff.

皇冠体育app work has been conducted for the 惭翱顿鈥檚 Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and Surgeon General鈥檚 Headquarters by national developer St. Modwen, and forms part of the ongoing 拢1 billion redevelopment of the former MG Rover site in south-west Birmingham.

Sinead McGoldrick, DIO鈥檚 Project Manager, said:

We鈥檙e delighted to have completed the new accommodation for the military medics serving at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine. 皇冠体育appse purpose built facilities will be a comfortable home-from-home during their posting to the hospital and will contribute to a positive work-life balance.

Major General Martin Bricknell, Acting Surgeon General, said:

皇冠体育app ribbon cutting marks an important step in the relationship between the Defence Medical Services and the City of Birmingham. 皇冠体育app ceremony has been an opportunity to recognise some the key contributions which have made this project possible, with St Modwen, DIO and the military working together to create a new home for RCDM personnel.

Colonel Katherine Richardson, RCDM鈥檚 Commanding Officer, said:

皇冠体育app new accommodation at Longbridge, named the Glenart Castle Mess, provides excellent facilities for RCDM personnel. With all 3 Services and all ranks living under one roof, the mess will further enhance unit cohesion and community, an important part of being in the military.

One of the new bedrooms provided for military medics at Longbridge. Crown Copyright MOD 2017. All rights reserved.

One of the new bedrooms provided for military medics at Longbridge. Crown Copyright MOD 2017. All rights reserved.

Mark Batchelor, Senior Construction Manager at St. Modwen said:

皇冠体育app decision to choose Longbridge for this incredible facility and the investment from DIO is testament to the success of the ongoing regeneration. We very much welcome DIO and the fantastic accommodation they have provided to help improve the lives of people working in incredibly serious and stressful situations.

We are soon to commence pedestrian footpaths and cycle links from 皇冠体育app RCDM across the River Rae and under the A38 into Austin Park and the town centre, making for a more accessible and environmentally friendly community.

皇冠体育app opening of Glenart Castle Mess follows the announcement that St. Modwen was granted planning permission for a 拢20 million leisure scheme at Longbridge.

St. Modwen has been regenerating the former MG factory site since 2003, investing more than 拢300 million into the area, creating more than 4,000 new jobs.

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Published 15 November 2017