Page 28 - QARANC Vol 14 No 9 2014

26 QARANC THE GAZETTE
34 FH MSV H20 - HOSPEX – End of an era...
Hospital Exercises (HOSPEX) have been an integral part of pre deployment training for medical personnel deploying on both Op Telic and Op Herrick since 2001. Every hospital unit has taken a pathway which has seen them undertake three Mission Specific Training (MST) exercises prior to them deploying into theatre. The Army Medical Services Training Centre (AMSTC) which is part of the 2nd Medical Brigade, located in Strensall, North Yorkshire has developed these exercises over the past decade mirroring the tempo of operations to provide a gold standard level of training to those that undergo this deployment training pathway. AMSTC has even recently been accredited as a world leader and centre of excellence in pre hospital training by the American, British, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand Armies’ Program (ABCA).
Each hospital unit that deploys commence their training pathway by conducting Hybrid Foundation Training (HFT) at D-12 months, which normally consists of a 2-3 day package, with a mixture of theory and practical aspects, ending in a short 4 hour Collective Training Exercise (CTX). This type of exercise is designed and delivered at a low level, and is often referred to as the “crawl stage”. At D-6, units undertake a Mission Specific Assessment (MSA), which is a six day exercise, consisting of a three day classroom package, followed by a three day CTX. This is normally the time where all Individual Augmentees (IAs) who are trawled from across the DMS come together with the unit they deploy with and affords them the opportunity to work together as a team. The CTX allows the team at AMSTC to assess and gauge areas for improvement as well as confirm areas of good practice. The MSA is referred to as the “jog stage” of the training pathway. Finally, at D-0, units will undergo a Mission Specific Validation (MSV) prior to them deploying, this consists of a two day classroom package and a three day CTX . This is seen as the “run stage” where the deploying unit should have “ironed out” any identified areas of risk during the MSA. On completion, the validation report is produced by the Chief Instructor AMSTC, which gives the Army assurance that the exercising unit is safe to deploy. Any risks identified at this stage are addressed and mitigated where possible. The MSV has also been the stage where our US, Danish and Estonian colleagues join the deploying UK medical group to have an opportunity to work
together in a safe environment prior to deploying. Feedback to AMSTC on this integration prior to deployment has been extremely positive as noted in the ABCA report.
34 Field Hospital (FH) were the last unit to attend a HOSPEX at AMSTC over the period 13 – 17 Apr 14. This exercise was one of the largest AMSTC had seen consisting of over 400 personnel, due to a large US presence. Although reports back from theatre at the time clearly indicated that the tempo had decreased and the numbers of casualties were significantly lower than previous Op Herrick tours, the exercise was still designed on a busy day in Camp Bastion. Lessons learned from previous deployed units suggest that they are often faced with a mass casualty incident soon after arrival, and the feedback to AMSTC from a recently deployed unit was that they were glad of the high tempo training prior to deployment.
Since 34 FH deployed following their MSV many personnel have confirmed the importance of the training pathway and the training received at AMSTC. Lt Col Jaish Mahan CO 34 FH stated: ‘The HOSPEX series of exercises have been invaluable in preparation for our complex deployment on HERRICK 20. Our tour has seen the fusion of Role 3 and Role 1 assets into a single UK Medical group with a spectrum of tasks including delivery of clinical care, mentoring of the ANSF, redeployment and remediation as well as setting the conditions for an enduring presence. The unique environment created in Strensall allowed us to ‘refine and adjust’ our structures in a realistic environment which allowed us to hit the ground running once deployed. AMSTC has unequivocally been pivotal to the success of the UK Med Gp on HERRICK 20’
The SNO on H20 Maj John Clark ARRC quoted: “This deployment has been the most fulfilling in my 30yrs of service. The pathway to deployment through MSA and MSV has confirmed the importance of communication, sound clinical leadership and team work at all levels. On deployment this has been demonstrated through the management of trauma, remediation of medical equipment, interdepartmental team work whilst delivering world class care to our patients. The Role 3 MTF is very much about putting the patient at the centre of all we do and the clinical team pulling together to ensure they get the best possible care irrespective of their origin. It has been an honour to serve as the last Senior