The excellence of civilian and military medics working in partnership to treat injured personnel was honoured at a glittering awards ceremony in Birmingham on Wednesday 9 November 2011.

The 2011 Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards (MCHPA) recognised the pioneering work being done to save the lives and limbs of armed forces casualties.

Winners were presented with their trophies at a black tie dinner organised by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, which holds the contract for providing medical services to military personnel evacuated from overseas via the aero medical service.

The awards event, staged at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, was hosted by the MoD with distinguished guests from across the Defence Medical Services, NHS, Devolved Administrations and voluntary sectors.

Andrew Robathan, Minister for Defence Personnel Welfare and Veterans, opened the evening saying: “I’m delighted to open the fourth Military and Civilian Health Partnerships Awards ceremony. With such a strong defence healthcare footprint in the Midlands, it’s only fitting that we should be here in Birmingham.

“Thanks to the excellence of our people working in partnership, the quality of care available to our armed forces – from emergency life saving procedures on operations to primary care at home and overseas – is quite remarkable. Tonight is about honouring the best of the best, people who, often in the most demanding of circumstances, are delivering exceptional healthcare.”

Lt Col Steven Jeffery working from The Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM) in partnership with UHB, won the Healthcare Regular of the Year award. His work in pioneering the use of Topical Negative Pressure dressings both in Camp Bastion and in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, has ensured wounds can be totally protected from contamination.

Gp Capt Wendy Williams, the Commanding Officer at RCDM said: “Lt Col Jeffery has provided leadership to a truly integrated and dedicated team, of both military and NHS staff, at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.”

UHB Chief Executive Julie Moore said: “Congratulations to Lt Col Jeffery on winning the much-deserved Healthcare Regular of the Year award. His pioneering clinical work has ensured that the Trust's teams and their RCDM partners can deliver excellent care that has undoubtedly saved lives and limbs."

In all there were nine categories with the Veterans 1st Point (V1P) winning two awards.

Nicola Sturgeon, the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy said: “The eight winners can be justifiably proud of their achievements for service personnel, their families, and veterans. The Defence Medical Services, NHS and Civilian Health and Social Care Services exist for the good of their patients. These awards show just what can be achieved, working in partnership to deliver outstanding care.”

Simon Burns, Minister of State for Health said: "Our Armed Forces make an extraordinary sacrifice for us all and deserve first-class medical care – whether deployed on operations, at home, or in later life. I am delighted that the exceptional care given to them is recognised by these awards.

“I want to congratulate the winners and acknowledge the tremendous work of all the finalists. Healthcare professionals from the NHS and social care provide vital support to service personnel, veterans and their families and it is great to see their hard work and expertise acknowledged."