Page 18 - QARANC Vol 18 No 1 2020

16 The Gazette QARANC Association
Exercise Khanjar Oman
22 Field Hospital deploy the Joint Expeditionary Force Field Hospital
Following the success of Ex SAIF SAREEA 3 held in Oman last year (2018), Ex KHANJAR OMAN (KO) saw the testing phase of a new military training area. This large scale joint exercise for UK and Omani Armed Forces continued to strengthen historic relationships between the two nations.
The live exercise phase included the Royal Tank Regiment, the Royal Artillery and the Mercian Regiment practising desert combat in armoured vehicles alongside the Omani Armed Forces. The Army Air Corps were also present flying Wildcat helicopters to support both training and medical capability.
22 Field Hospital deployed the Role 2 Joint Expeditionary Force Field Hospital (JEFFH) in order to provide substantial real-life medical support for both British and Omani exercising troops. The hospital consisted of an Emergency Department, Operating Theatre, Intensive Care Unit, and a 12 bed Ward. 5 Medical Regiment provided a comprehensive Role 1 capability including a Primary Healthcare facility near the hospital and Pre-Hospital Treatment Teams on the training area. To ensure the medical capability was robust and sufficient for the exercise
both Role 1 and Role 2 facilities were tested ahead of the exercise. This was to ensure slick drills and full preparation was in place should a real mass casualty event occur.
22 Field Hospital is now working towards Ex DEFENDER 20 which is a multinational exercise with NATO partner nations deploying to Eastern Europe in 2020.
Below follows a series of personal perspectives describing some of the different QARANC job roles deployed on the exercise:
Major Patrick Wilson
Senior Nursing Officer
I joined the QARANC in 2004 as a student nurse. I am currently posted to 22 Field Hospital as an Emergency Care Specialist Nurse. My role day-to- day in the Firm Base (FB) is the Unit Governance Officer, which includes assuring the readiness and clinical preparedness of personnel on the JEFFH commitment.
My FB role is tied closely with my deployed role of Senior Nursing Officer (SNO) of the JEFFH. Here, I have responsibility for the day- to-day management of the clinical departments with my team of Heads
Aerial photo of The Joint Expeditionary Force Field Hospital deployed on Ex KHANJAR OMAN
of Departments (HoD). I work closely with the Deployed Medical Director (DMD) ensuring the clinical delivery in the JEFFH is maintained to an optimal standard and all functions of clinical delivery are maintained.
Governance and Assurance (G&A) in the JEFFH plays an important part of the clinical delivery. As such, I lead the development of the Common Assurance Framework (CAF) - an auditable document that provides the structure of how we implement the G&A model in the JEFFH.
The thing I enjoy most about being deployed on this overseas training exercise is seeing the junior soldiers develop and flourish in their deployed roles. In the FB we are all very busy in our day jobs, so it is valuable to have time on deployment to spend time with the soldiers in a different environment.
Staff Sergeant Kelley Burns
Ward Master
As one of the two Ward Masters in the JEFFH I work in the Hospital Management Cell (HMC). It is my responsibility to contribute to the coordination and management of patient flow.
I am currently assigned to Joint Hospital Group North, working as the City and Guilds Coordinator back in the FB. The requirements of the deployed post have some shared aspects with this role, but also some significant differences, mainly focusing on management whilst enabling me to contribute effectively to continued professional development.
During this exercise, my day-to-day tasks include controlling access to the HMC and registering the flow of patients
The Senior Nursing Officer, Major P Wilson