Page 42 - QARANC Vol 14 No 9 2014

40 QARANC THE GAZETTE
4 Armoured Medical Regiment / 12X Role 1 Clinical Validation March 14
As part of the lead armoured infantry battle group (iLABG), 4 AMR along with integral 12X RAP’s were required to conduct a R1 Med Val during March 14. With the initial plan to use Imber Village on Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA) literally flooded out we had to rapidly adapt the in depth planning in order to enable the completion of the task and give Comd Med the gold plated assurance that would be required for 12X Commander that his troops were fit for purpose.
When I was first briefed by Col Southwood of the sheer scale of the task my jaw dropped! However once detailed panning got underway I soon realised the intrinsic opportunity it gave the regiment to provide real and meaningful training to the CMT’s. Starting with a clinical concentration week we were able to utilise 5-quality days clinical training, which included team PHC, pre hospital emergency care, along with assistance of the BATLS team and an excellent opportunity from LAD to practice real time vehicle extraction using the ‘jaws of death’ (cutting equipment to you and me!).
Moving onto the validation itself we were able to utilise the excellent Bramley Trg area and its associated buildings to enable a real contingency Ops feel to the Exercise. Med troops and RAP’s went through an initial
individual testing phase, which included written exams, CUF lanes (completed with Amputee’s in Action) and Med FP testing. Following this snap orders were issued which required Tp Cmd’s and Med Sgt’s to occupy, and set up ready to receive their respective MTF’s. The following day saw a complete clinical matrix test the team cohesion and overall clinical effectiveness again using the realism and acting skills of Amps in Action (along with a select band of CMT’s of 4 Sqn). With the pace of the day increasing along with the volume of Hussar cries, (thanks KRH!!)) The teams were soon coming
together in forming effective treatment teams that if you had never met before would believe they had spent a life working together.
Overall 4 AMR were able to provide a comprehensive and compete R1 Validation package, which ensured that troops were fit for purpose and as stated by Comd Med has ‘created that standard for all future R1 Validations’.
My thanks to all the supporting team from 4 AMR along with external units who ‘made it happen’ and look forward to the next one, no really!
Capt R E Dove QARANC CTO 4 AMR