1 Rifles Show They Are Fighting Fit

By Annie Capper

Soliders at Beachley Barracks proved they were fighting fit at their Rifles Health Day.

The day marked part of a drive by the Army Primary Care service to reinforce to the soldiers the health care and support available to them from the army.

The health day focussed on alerting troops to the ways they can protect their physical well-being.

Tracey Harris, Practice Nurse at Beachley Barracks, home to 1 Rifles, said: “There was a very good response to the day.”

More than 200 soldiers attended the event and benefited from the health screening and information on offer.

The day was granted even greater significance due to the fact 1 Rifles will be deployed to Afghanistan in mid-September.

A number of external agencies joined the Army Primary Care service for the event, including Gloucestershire Health Authority to provide information about sexual health, Nicotine CQ to warn against smoking and Alcoholics Anonymous to explain the health implications of alcoholism.

Fitness First from Bristol also attended to give health checks relating to blood pressure, fat percentage and Body Mass Index.

It is hoped that a health day on this scale will take place annually at the Forest of Dean barracks, although health screening is provided all year round by the Army Primary Care service.

(c) 2008 Citizen Gloucestershire, The. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.