Page 26 - RADC 2023

DEPLOYMENT
DPHC(D) Support to Op INTERFLEX
Major Henry Walker, SDO Catterick
In February 2022, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, causing unfathomable devastation and disruption to the Ukrainian people and their way of life. This invasion placed on hold Op ORBITAL,
the British Army’s long term training programme
in Ukraine, however in June 2022 the UK-led Op INTERFLEX launched to provide world-leading training for Ukrainian volunteer recruits (GOV.UK, 2023).
The training is delivered by UK Service Personnel (SP) and NATO allies SP in locations throughout the UK. The course lasts five weeks and includes weapon handling, battlefield first aid, Law of Armed Conflict training, patrol tactics and rural environment training. These basic elements have also been supplemented with Ukrainian Marine training, mine-clearance training and Army chaplaincy support to Ukrainian padres.
In November 2023, the UK reached its target to have trained 30,000 Ukrainian men and women by the end of 2023 (GOV.UK, 2023).
DPHC(D) are tasked to provide dental emergency support to the Ukrainian recruits whilst they are training in the UK, to ensure they are able to complete their course without dental pain or complications. The lion’s share of the dental emergency provision since June 2022 has been provided by DCs Catterick, Honnington, Shorncliffe and the Salisbury Plain Training Area DCs - Larkhill, Bulford and Tidworth. On top of this, these DCs also provide emergency cover for the UK and NATO SP who are delivering the training. To add some context, between June 2022 and December 2023, DC Catterick saw 1358 Op INTERFLEX emergency patients; either Ukrainian recruits or UK or NATO SP.
This influx of emergency patients within the
DCs required changes in operating procedures to ensure timely care to those Ukrainian SP most at
need whilst maintaining the priority outputs of the
DC populations at risk – emergency patients and deploying troops. Firstly, an increase in sick parade slots was implemented within the DMICP diaries. At DC Catterick, where until November 2023 we were serving two Op INTERFLEX training sites, one dental team were allocated to sick parade each afternoon, however, this has regularly been supported by a clinical team from DC ITC Catterick or through cancelling routine patients. Secondly, robust triage protocols were implemented on reception, alongside training, to ensure that patients with true dental pain, swelling or trauma were prioritised. Furthermore, regular contact between the DC and medical teams at the Op INTERFLEX training sites is maintained to ensure they are content
to manage patients with dental problems through their own sick parade.
DC processes were adjusted to support the Ukrainian recruit’s arrival at the DC. Firstly, all treatment was conducted with the help of a translator which required a period of adjustment as the dental teams became used to working with a translator to take dental histories, present findings and deliver treatment. Ultimately, more time was needed and this was factored in. Additionally, some documents such as the medical history form, extraction consent form and post operative advice sheet were translated into Ukrainian to help the patients’ pathway through treatment. Now a year and half into
it, these processes are relatively slick and patient care largely timely and smooth.
Another aspect of emergency care delivery which required adjustment came in the form of new clinical challenges. The Ukrainian recruits are recruited differently to UK SP and can have a wider range
of relevant medical histories which need careful examination through the translator. Additionally, dental care provision within Ukraine is different to the UK
and understanding what dental care patients had received to date, how they can access care on their return to Ukraine or what their attitude and approach
to their dental health is, took time to adjust to. The net result of this has seen an increase in exodontia within the practices which is different to the normal ebb and flow of sick parades at most DPHC(D) DCs. Clinicians have seen more challenging extractions, more surgical extractions and more post operative complications than is commonplace within DPHC(D).
The staff in the DCs have continued to manage the Op INTERFLEX dental care remarkably and are all happy to be helping these incredibly brave men and women who are fighting for their country in such a courageous way. The increased workload provides some stresses which are known, and hopefully manged by leadership teams to help our staff where needed.
The UK support to Op INTERFLEX endures to assist Ukraine in its fight for freedom.
References
UK Government, (2023) ’30,000 Ukrainian recruits trained in largest UK military training effort since Second World War,’ Government.UK, 10 November. Available at: 30,000 Ukrainian recruits trained in largest UK military training effort since Second World War - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) (Accessed: 21 December 2023).
24 RADC BULLETIN 2023