MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
News Release (20/2008) issued by The Government News Network on 6
February 2008
Armed Forces
Minister Bob Ainsworth MP today opened a new 'state of the
art' field hospital in southern Afghanistan. Based at Camp
Bastion in Helmand province the new Medical Treatment Facility
(MTF) will significantly increase the capabilities of the medical
team who already provide excellent treatment for service personnel.
Mr Ainsworth officially opened the hospital during a tour of the
facility, which replaces the tented field hospital used since
2003, and which will continue the provision of first class medical
treatment to soldiers, sailors and airmen.
With a fully equipped operating theatre supporting two operating
tables, the MTF also supports up to six beds for the most
critically injured in an Intensive Treatment Unit (ITU). Two
general wards handle patients with recovery needs and there are an
additional two separate, private rooms, supplying a total capacity
of 37 beds, with room for expansion.
Bob Ainsworth MP, Armed Forces Minister, said: "I have
always had the highest regard for the medical treatment received
by our servicemen and women, but this new hospital is simply
outstanding. I have seen for myself the quality of the building
and equipment and I have met the staff, who are consummate
professionals dedicated to treating everyone who comes through the
doors to the highest standard.
"Our Armed Forces are engaged in a dangerous mission here
and we owe it to them to provide them with the confidence that if
they are injured, they will receive the very best of care from the
moment they are picked up in the field, through their immediate
treatment and any subsequent rehabilitation. This new facility and
the staff who perform under such difficult conditions are helping
to save lives and they should be extremely proud of the work they
do and the contribution they are making to help bring stability to
this country."
The new facility has state-of-the-art medical technology. The
Radiography Department has a CT scanner, allowing high-quality
imaging of complex injuries, ensuring swift and accurate clinical
decision-making. Two mobile digital DRAGON X-Ray machines, worth
£150,000 each, are rarely seen in the NHS, but have been installed
in the MTF. They allow imaging within 5 seconds and, being
portable, they remove the need to move a patient from the ward,
speeding the diagnostic process. The digital scans can be enhanced
as well as being instantly shareable with medical staff back in
the UK. The pathology lab can conduct blood and sample testing as
well as having the capacity to supply blood products for
transfusion. Equipment normally only found in the National Blood
Service, used to gather the blood platelets much needed in trauma
recovery, is currently on trial.
Mr Ainsworth was also shown the primary healthcare facilities
which provide a general practice surgery, two dental surgeries, a
welfare department, a mental healthcare team and a dedicated
Hospital Chaplain. There are plans to develop the site further to
include physiotherapy treatment and recovery rooms.
Staffed by around 100 personnel, the temperature-controlled
building is capable of dealing with the most serious trauma
injuries. Patients injured in mine-strikes, with blast,
fragmentation or gunshot wounds, benefit from a team of on-site
clinicians and consultants who can perform the immediate surgery
which will save limbs and lives, before swift repatriation to
continue care back in the UK.
The Officer Commanding of the Hospital Squadron, Lt Col Paul
Wallbridge, said: "The hospital treats personnel from across
the ISAF coalition nations and we have also helped many from the
Afghan National Army, Police and also local nationals for a whole
range of complaints, from children suffering malnutrition or burns
to those suffering traumatic amputations due to anti-personnel mines."
The hospital is currently staffed by 243 Field Hospital
(Volunteers), from the south west of England, mainly Territorial
Army personnel who have been given leave by their employers to
deploy to Afghanistan. TA medics have a diverse range of medical
and clerical posts back in the UK and in addition to trauma and
intensive care experience they bring together a wealth of skills
that might not otherwise be seen in a military setting. This has
been particularly true with those trained as paediatricians, who
have proved extremely valuable when dealing with local children.
Lt Col Wallbridge said on meeting Mr Ainsworth: "This new
facility is simply fantastic, capable of bringing together the
skills of experts in trauma surgery and recovery, intensive care
and nursing with state of the art equipment. While we were always
able to provide high standards of care in the tented hospital, we
were always fighting a bit of a battle with the environment, the
heat, cold or dust. Here, our outstanding staff and equipment also
enjoy excellent working conditions"
Notes to Editors
1. The new hospital was built by G3 Systems and is a modular
design constructed from a containerised structure. It is a bespoke
design meeting the specific requirements of military casualties
and patients, treating anything from complex ballistic trauma
injuries to everyday coughs and colds.
2. Further pictures of the hospital opening, staff and the
facilities are available to download from Defence News Imagery (http://www.defencenewsimagery.mod.uk/).
Broadcast quality interviews and footage will also be made available.
3. For more information visit the website http://www.mod.uk