A new Army health brigade is to be established, following a recent review into Army health capability.
Director of Army Health, Colonel Toni Bushby said the new Health Brigade, the 2nd Brigade, would return to Army’s order of battle in 2023, after being disbanded in 1946.
Colonel Bushby said the restructure was informed by the Army Health Capability review, which was the most significant review of Army health capability since the 2010 Combat Health Restructure.
“Four health battalions will be raised in early 2022 in Darwin, Adelaide, Brisbane and Townsville, before establishing the 2nd Brigade the following year,” Colonel Bushby said.
“This will enhance Army health capabilities and increase our ability to attract and retain qualified health professionals across all service categories,” she said.
Colonel Bushby said the move towards a dedicated Health Brigade would see the closure of current health units and sub-units in order to raise the four new health battalions and would include adjustments to all the existing deployable unit structures within Army Health.
“Firstly, we will see the closure of the 1st Psychology Unit on 19 November,” she said.
“The incredibly valuable work of Army’s psychology specialist will continue, with existing detachments transferred into the health battalions.
“We will increase the number of permanent psychology officer positions in Army and strengthen Army’s investment in preventative mental health initiatives.”
Colonel Bushby said the restructure would also see the retirement of 1st Close Health Battalion, 2nd General Health Battalion, 3rd Health Support Battalion and medical companies from Army’s Reserve brigades and Regional Support Force medical detachments.
“While this is an ending of sorts for the current units, the storied history of health services in the Australian Army will be carried forward with pride by each battalion,” she said.
The 2nd Division’s Senior Health Officer and Colonel, Andrew Whitworth said the integration of the part-time health workforce from the 2nd Division and 17th Sustainment Brigade was a fundamental enabler to establishing the new Brigade.
“Forty-seven per cent of Army’s health workforce are Reserve or part-time personnel, most of whom bring specialist skills with them from the civilian health system,” Colonel Whitworth said.
“The integration of the part-time health workforce into the multi-function health battalions will increase the opportunities for training, placement and advancement,” he said.
“They will also become part of integrated teams, bringing their specialty skills with them to provide support across the spectrum of Army health services.”
Commander 17th Sustainment Brigade and Brigadier, Craig Dobson said care had been taken to ensure minimal disruption to deployable health capabilities as the transition to the health battalions commenced.
