Diplomas in medical care for two Wexford soldiers
It was a proud day for two Wexford soldiers as they were awarded diplomas in Military Medical Care at University College Dublin.
Corporal Aidan Murphy of Wexford and Trooper Thomas Redmond of Ballygarrett were among a select group of 23 students to receive the qualification in the medical speciality.
As members of the Medical Corps of the Defence Forces, Corporal Murphy and Trooper Redmond will serve as Combat Medical Technicians.
The qualification means that they are likely to serve in a medical capacity in peacekeeping missions overseas.
The two soldiers were presented with their dipliomas by a delegation including Minister of State at the Department of Defence Paul Kehoe; Deputy Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Major General Kevin Cotter and former Wexford Fine Gael TD Dr. Liam Twomey.
Dr Twomey, who stepped down from the Dáil in 2016, is the deputy clinical director at UCD General Practice.
Minister Kehoe said Corporal Murphy and Trooper Redmond will play a unique role in the Defence Forces which require their medical personnel to undergo a Level 7 university course at an external medical institution in order to qualify as a medic.
‘ This is testament to the very high standards of duty of care and professionalism that are evident in the organisation, said Minister Kehoe.
‘ The Diploma in Military Medical Care provides a suitable platform for further medical training as Paramedic and Advanced Paramedic. It is an important element of the three-tiered approach to medical training within the Defence Forces, the other two elements being Military First Responder training for all personnel and the Specialty of Military Medicine for medical practitioners.’
This year marks the third year of collaboration between the Defence Forces and UCD in the provision of the Diploma in Military Medical Care, which is a Level 7 programme on the National Framework of Qualifications.
A total of 74 Defence Forces personnel have graduated from UCD with the award since the course was established
‘Whether serving at home or overseas, our personnel from Wexford do their county, their communities and their families extremely proud,’ said Minister Kehoe.