Army plans for new healthcare facilities

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army announced plans to establish new healthcare facilities for wounded soldiers called Warrior Transition Units.

Army officials say the new units are the centerpiece of the Army Medical Action Plan that began in June and is an effort to streamline care for wounded soldiers. The plan headed by Brig. Gen. Mike Tucker identified about 150 items in the Army medical system that need improving, according to the Army News Service.

At the top of the list for Warrior Transition Units will be better housing. Officials say $173.5 million in Operations and Maintenance funding and an additional $1.2 billion in Military Construction funds have been allocated. The units will also combine what used to be separate structures for the active and reserve components.

A key element to the redesigned soldier healthcare facilities will be what officials calla Triad of Support consisting of a Primary Care Manager, who is a physician; a Nurse Case Manager, who is a registered nurse; and a squad leader.

There will be a squad leader for every 12 patients where formerly Medical Hold companies had a staff sergeant who administered to about 50 patients.

"When we talk about holistic care, we talk about the whole person," said Col. Elspeth Ritchie, behavioral health consultant to the Army surgeon general, in a statement. "Holistic care, as the Army doctor describes, is about not only the medical aspects of healing, but the psychological, social and cognitive aspects in conjunction with the soldier's career goals and aspirations."

The Army Medical Command expects the new units to become fully operationally in January.