JP2060 Phase 3 Health Clinical Care is about delivering the next generation of deployable healthcare to the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The project aims to provide deployable clinical care through the upgrade of health equipment and expanding specialist surgical capabilities.

Saab partnered with Aspen Medical, Philips Electronics Australia, Global Defence Solutions (GDS) and Marshall Land Systems to deliver more than 550 deployable medical modules. The modules provide functions enabling clinical treatment and care up to hospitalisation, and incorporate critical support infrastructure such as shelters, internal power distribution, water and waste management.

A training needs analysis is completed, identifying the gaps between current knowledge, skills, and attitudes to the new capability. This determines the training need, which Aspen Medical designs, develops and delivers to the ADF.

The training is run over 2 training windows: Mar-May and Sep-Nov, to fit around the Defence posting cycle and major exercise period. Historically, up to 15 courses per window have been run but for Window 5 (Mar-May) and Window 6 (Sep – Nov) there are in excess of 30 courses scheduled per window, face-to-face and a hybrid model.

Most of our work takes place in Southeast Queensland where we have a team of teams – clinical, environmental health/hazardous assessment, pathology and infrastructure. 

JP2060 Project Manager Kelly-Ann King said, “The tailored, flexible training approach we have developed, allows the ADF to benefit from hands-on learning which enhances capability, all while being guided by Aspen Medical instructors, each a leader in their field. The unique combination of civilian and veteran team members brings real-world experience and clinical best practices, delivering first-class training quality.”

Let’s find out a little more about our team….

Clinical

The JP2060 clinical team boasts over 270 years of clinical expertise, brought together by a diverse team of 14 health professionals. From RNs to clinical educators, specialists in rural health to mental health, from schoolteachers to university lecturers, radiographers to sonographers, ADF medics to paramedics, a former ADF officer, a project manager and a dental hygienist, they’ve seen it all! 

And life beyond the scrubs? 

Within the team there are certainly some quirky backstories and interesting previous life experiences. From a degree in Applied Blockchain (who would have thought!) to spending the '90s in London with a croupier license, dealing American roulette, a certified remedial massage therapist who once worked for Fremantle Dockers, a barista and a banker. And that’s only the tip of the iceberg. This may well be Aspen Medical’s most eclectic team!

Biomedical

As part of JP2060, we are contracted to deliver annual initial employment training for energy technicians to specialise as biomedical technicians. This is a 6-week course involving theory and a hospital-based placement which we have partnered with Queensland Health to provide. 

Our biomedical team consists of biomedical engineers, Dr Marilia De Menezes Oliveriera and Helena Horton, and biomedical technician Elias Dos Santos.

Environmental Health /Hazardous Assessment

From managing mosquitos, water supply and food supply, this multi-disciplined team are highly skilled. 

The JP2060 project includes EH equipment such as backpack sprayers, foggers, HACH water analysis kit, noise dosimetry sets and chemical detectors. Anything preventative health or WHS in a deployable setting is usually managed by our EH officers.

The JP2060 team consists occupational hygienists and environmental health officers who are all leaders in their field. 

The team are passionate scientists and highly skilled in chemistry, physics and microbiological analysis - be it air, noise, water, waste or soil hazardous analysis. 

The JP2060 hazardous assessment equipment includes ionising and non-ionising radiation kits, PCR and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometers and biological safety cabinets.

And like the rest of the JP2060 team, outside of their dedication to providing world-class healthcare wherever our clients need us, they have some interesting pastimes – Stephen Shelvington is a punk rock journalist, George Baker is a race car enthusiast and Sam Curtis is an expert on ice cream!

Pathology

The Pathology team can monitor patients’ biochemistry, haematology, microbiology, immunology, and haemostasis profiles. The JP2060 Pathology Team consists of 4 experts who are all leaders in their field. Glen Lynch is a Medical Scientist, SME for Pathology and hobby Apiarist (Beekeeper). Asma Minhaj is a Medical Scientist and fitness guru. Zoe Catterall is a Medical Scientist by day and lead singer for Aussie rock band “The Buoys” by night, and the team is rounded off by team leader Shannon McKiernan.

Infrastructure 

The JP2060 project includes hard and soft shelters as well as container solutions for laundry, pharmacy, surgical, imagery, dentist and sterilisation, to name a few. And they all require maintenance to keep them functioning.

In keeping with the JP2060 trend for eclectic team experiences, there is a professional actor (Justin Anderson), a trivia master (Russell Kirby), a fitness enthusiast (Dan Foley) and an outdoor adventure seeker (Josie Symons).