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Danes to take over field hospital in Afghanistan

News Release issued by the Government News Network on 08 July 2009

 

Danish medics have been taking advantage of British military medical expertise and training facilities as they prepare to take over the running of the Camp Bastion field hospital in Afghanistan.

Danish military reservist field hospital staff have been training with 2 Medical Brigade at the Army Medical Training Services Centre in Strensall, Yorkshire, ahead of their 3-month deployment (beginning on 20 July) to take over from 202 (Midlands) Field Hospital.

Danish Defence Secretary Soren Gade visited the training centre today to view the facilities used by British medics to prepare them for manning the field hospital where most of the British troops who require medical treatment in Afghanistan are seen. The Army Medical Services Training Centre has a mock-up of a field hospital to mirror the facilities in Afghanistan. Training includes dealing with casualties who have lost limbs and learning how to treat civilian casualties who require an Afghan interpreter.

Defence Minister Kevan Jones said:

“We are very pleased that Denmark has agreed to deploy its field hospital staff to Camp Bastion for three months. The Danes are key allies in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan and this is an excellent example of collaboration between our two nations, and within the coalition as a whole. Their highly skilled medical personnel have undergone the same pre-deployment training as our own medics, ensuring that ISAF troops will enjoy the same level of excellent clinical care they have come to expect.”

The Danish Defence Secretary, Soren Gade, said:

“I am very proud of the fact that Denmark is about to relieve British personnel and man the field hospital in Helmand. This is another example of the great cooperation between Denmark and Great Britain that underlines the close relationship and trust between Great Britain and Denmark – both at the political level as well as among the troops on the ground. We are about to take on a task, which is of huge importance for all contributing countries in RC South. The safety and care for our troops remains our single highest priority and I have great confidence in the capabilities of our medical personnel.”

1. The field hospital at Camp Bastion provides emergency medicine, primary surgery, an Intensive Care Unit, general care beds, diagnostic support and a variety of clinical specialities for deployed medical care.
2. Some UK Defence Medical Services specialists, together with US medical personnel, will remain at Camp Bastion Field Hospital during the deployment of the Danish Hospital personnel.
3. The UK is also providing a contribution to the NATO Multinational Field Hospital at Kandahar.
4. The National Audit Office report “Support to High Intensity Operations in May 2009 said of the medical care provided to personnel in theatre: “The Department’s success in delivering life-saving medical treatment is underlined by the number of ‘unexpected survivors’ following the most severe of injuries. There is widespread confidence in the healthcare system in both theatres.”
5. Sir Ian Kennedy, Chairman of the Healthcare Commission state din the commission’s 2009 Review of the Defence Medical Services: “There is absolutely no question that personnel injured in battle have a better chance of survival than ever before. That is entirely due to efficient and innovative care, delivered under exceptionally difficult circumstances.”
6. 256 (City of London) Field Hospital will deploy to Camp Bastion to replace the Danes in October.
7. Photographs from the Danish Defence Minister’s visit are available on the Defence News Imagery website www.defencenewsimagery.mod.uk
8. For more information contact Paul Leat in the MoD Press Office on 020 7218 7931