Army Medical Services The Museum of Military Medicine Plans for future relocation
The Requirement to Move No opportunity for further expansion at Keogh Barracks AMS Museum missing out on casual visits in current location Behind the Wire Ageing infrastructure Out of the way location, not readily accessible by public transport 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review Rebasing: DMS to LitchJield with non-medical units intended at Keogh Site at a new location required MoD Grant-in-Aid support to majority of 69 military museums to be phased out by 2030 Contracts with DIO for rents, rates, and property maintenance Review to save MoD money
The Necessity to Move Non Cap badge occupation. Requirement to move from Keogh Barracks and Jind a new home Considered a partnership with the Staffords/Mercians at DMS (W) LichJield RAMC and QARANC funded 100,000 to initiate move Recognition by the AMS Museum Board that the Museum had to become commercially orientated to survive The HLF application to support the move to LichJield was unsuccessful but the AMS Museum board were asked to submit bid without Mercian component as HLF believe the AMS Museum story has independent merit. Rebasing change: 4 Armoured Medical Regiment and 22 Field Hospital now occupy Keogh Barracks, meaning that the pressure to move has gone The AMS Museum Board reviewed its decision to move, but have remained convinced that the decision is the right one, and that it should search for a suitable host city
Decision of Trustees In 2014/2015 AMS Museum Trustees sought a partnership with City/Academic institution, including York, Southampton, Cardiff and Liverpool. On 26 January 2016 the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to pursue Cardiff as the location of the new Museum of Military Medicine, having visited the site and heard presentations by representatives of Cardiff City Council and Scott Brownrigg architects. The site incorporates an existing Grade II* heritage building - the old Bute Street Railway Station, constructed in the 1840s/50s. The building has a link to the AMS story. The building has been unoccupied for several decades. The plan for the new facility includes the existing building, land currently under a canopy, and PFI Land owed by the Welsh Government.
What do we hope to achieve? For the AMS Museum to thrive and to continue to tell the AMS story in an innovative and engaging fashion, the Board recognizes that the Museum needs to transform itself from a corps museum to an outward facing cultural enterprise. A new location allows for expansion and the opportunity to increase footfall. Vision Statement To inspire learning about past developments in Military Medicine through shared experience, world-class research, artefact collections and archives, and through programming and public displays, for the sustainment of a healthy future for all our citizens. Ambition To create a modern museum of national importance which delivers an understanding of the historical and enduring challenges and consequences of providing highest quality human and animal healthcare.
Why Cardiff? Support from Welsh Government Support from Cardiff City Council Good rail, road and air connexions Cardiff is an ambitious city, anxious to enhance and promote its tourism offer. Sees the Museum of Military Medicine as an asset in its portfolio Partnerships with local TA groups, tourism groups, clinical education and health board, university research, other museums (National Museum Wales, Firing Line)
Public BeneHits Permanent and temporary exhibitions Interactive access to people-focused collections and archives Self-guided discovery programmes Multi-vocal: visitor memories and experiences incorporated into new exhibits Family activities and discovery trails, bridging generations Informal learning, for all ages Schools programmes, workshops and longer term projects Placement opportunities for career development
Community Opportunities National remit Medical and veterinary topics are of broad interest and appeal Extensive archive of historic documents (many to be repatriated from the Wellcome Collection in London) Appeal to specialist researchers and military enthusiasts Appetite for developing new ways of engaging with wider audiences Act as a bridge between the military and the general public, promoting a better understanding between the two
Opportunities from Partnership working Exploit common interest of public and professionals Strengthen links with universities, schools and careers services Key health service research resource Strong position to bid for HLF funding at regional and national level Major BeneHiciaries The general, non-specialist public Subject Interest Groups The Military Community Partners and Investors