Page 29 - QARANC Vol 14 No 11 2015

The Department of Healthcare Education (DHE) conducted a clinical FTX, EXERCISE LADYSMITH over the period 20- 22 Feb 2015. The aim of the exercise was to develop the medical, military and leadership skills of DHE students. There was a strong emphasis on the delivery of healthcare on humanitarian aid deployments, which proved useful for those individuals who have limited experience of medicine and nursing in the field. The exercise was conducted at the Army Medical Services Training Centre (AMSTC), Queen Elizabeth Barracks, York.
On arrival the students received the mission brief scenario and orders from Maj Carter QARANC. The objective was to provide humanitarian aid in Pakistan due to an earthquake which hit the Kashmir region and killed 79,000. The earthquake had caused massive landslides and caused broken sewage pipes resulting in an increased risk of communicable diseases. The medical rules of engagement (MROE) included role 2 treatment for military personnel and life, limb and eyesight for local nationals, which caused some debate between student groups of both the ethical and moral implications of these MROE.
Lectures following the introduction to the exercise included navigation, assessment and history taking, infection and communicable disease control and over the course of the next day students were subjected to a range of clinical scenarios. The clinical scenarios took place in the emergency department, ITU and ward of the role 2 facility. Third year student nurses were delegated to lead small teams of 5. The clinical scenarios included communicable diseases, which students correctly diagnosed as measles and typhoid. Trauma related scenarios included fractures; road traffic collisions and gunshot wounds, a range of primary health care conditions were also included. The directing staff had a wide range of specialities and were keen to pass on their knowledge and skills, university lecturers were also in attendance to offer guidance and teaching throughout the exercise.
Command tasks were also conducted over the course of the day, which included casualty evacuation and navigation; students were also revised and refreshed in basic infantry battle skills.
The evening entertainment over these weekends follows the tradition of skits, with the Commanding Officer, Lt Col Palmer RAMC once again being the main focus of the impressions. A curry dinner was also prepared and served by directing staff,
which provided the opportunity for further team cohesion. The final phase of the exercise started with the Commanding Officers PT, this was in the form of Initial Military Fitness, (IMF). A static synchronised session of following commands with a mix of exercise and drill, commonly used on ship and originated from the Royal Marines, whilst it took some considerable skill, particularly for army students, the timings eventually came
together to form a disciplined and orderly workout.
Padre Young and his assistant Fiannah, an Irish terrier conducted a church service. Fiannah was used as a sermon illustration of how service personnel manage to find peace
after a particularly arduous and difficult deployment.
Prior to end-ex students were chosen at random and formed two panels to debate the topic, “should the UK Defence Medical Services (DMS) become involved in medical humanitarian aid?” Each panel were given 30 minutes to prepare and forward their argument and to receive questions from the audience. After a well-organised debate a vote was conducted, although the panel against provided sufficient evidence and argument, a clear majority voted in favour of
becoming involved with humanitarian aid.
Naval personnel on the exercise were tasked to provide
a presentation on the Falkland Islands conflict in 1982. The presentation was informative and consisted of an overview of the conflict, ships involved, and the significant impact that Surgeon Capt Rick Jolly OBE had on the role of the Red and Green Life Machine, before concluding on the Falkland’s today.
The exercise de-brief conducted by the directing staff evaluated how students had performed throughout the different serials over the weekend. This was followed by a closing address from the Commanding Officer who congratulated the students on their efforts.
Whilst this was only a short exercise it was entirely relevant for any future deployed medical capabilities under contingency operations. Both students and staff were enthusiastic and grasped the opportunities to expand on military ethos and values and standards. DHE students would like to take this opportunity to thank the directing staff for all their efforts and hard work in organising EXERCISE LADYSMITH but also to give thanks to AMSTC for the use of their facilities.
LCpl Emily Attiwell
BSc Student Nurse
Defence School of Healthcare Education.
THE GAZETTE QARANC 27
Exercise Ladysmith 20-22 Feb 2015