Page 42 - Cadet Review Spring 2025

 SWY Wing ATC
FROM YORKSHIRE TO
RURAL CAMBODIA: WING
COMMANDER EMBARKS
ON LIFE-SAVING MISSION
Wing Commander Dr Katherine Barton, Officer
Commanding South & West Yorkshire Wing, recently
returned from an extraordinary expedition to the
remote villages of Cambodia, where she volunteered
her expertise in Obstetrics and Gynaecology as part
of the Team 5 Foundation. This specialised medical
mission focused on delivering essential healthcare
to isolated indigenous populations who had never
before received international medical aid.
The mission, which began in early January 2025,
centred 80km north of Siem Reap in a region with
very limited access to healthcare services. The
area’s remoteness means that hospitals capable of
performing life-saving procedures like caesarean
sections are over two and a half hours away. Over
the course of five intense days, the team conducted
medical clinics, providing treatment to over 500
people. Following this they ran a 2 day Obstetric
and Midwifery course to local healthcare providers
and students to address the critical issue of infant
mortality during childbirth.
Wing Commander Barton collaborated with an
international team of experts from the United States,
the United Kingdom and Australia. Their combined
expertise spanned clinical, dental, obstetrics and
gynaecology and ultrasound disciplines. Together,
they brought not only vital medications but also
cutting-edge medical equipment, making it possible
to address a wide array of common medical issues in
the underserved region.
“It was humbling and inspiring to witness the
courage and resilience of these communities,” Wing
Commander Barton shared. “Our aim was to leave
them better equipped to handle common obstetric
emergencies and to ensure they felt confident to
conduct safe births for the local population. We had
to adapt some techniques we would use in the UK
to reflect the limited resources and lengthy time to
transfer patients."
A key part of the mission was empowering
local healthcare workers. Dr Barton, alongside
a midwifery colleague, provided comprehensive
training sessions in antenatal, intrapartum, and
postnatal care. They also covered topics such as
menopause, pelvic floor health, and contraceptive
options.
In addition to healthcare provision, the mission
prioritised critical emergency response training.
Dr Barton led sessions in maternal and neonatal
resuscitation, addressing complications such as
postpartum haemorrhage, shoulder dystocia,
and severe pre-eclampsia. These life-saving
techniques were invaluable in a region where such
knowledge can mean the difference between life
and death.
The team’s presence not only delivered immediate
care to hundreds of individuals but also provided a
lasting impact by equipping local practitioners with
the tools and knowledge to continue improving the
health outcomes of their communities.
42 CADET REVIEW SPRING 2025