Page 11 - QARANC Vol 15 No 2 2017

Ex JORVIK STANDBY
204 Field Hospital – An Overview
21 April saw 204 Fd Hospital embark on their second JORVIK EXERCISE within 6 months, EX JORVIK STANDBY. Having completed EX JORVIK MIRROR in Sept 16, it was now time for our Readiness Assessment as we entered our committed year. This assessment was effectively the green light for 204 to be credited as an effective fully functional hospital, should we be required to deploy. The Exercise’s main effort was to test the command and control element and ensure effective communication within departments.
After a large amount of training and planning, 204 arrived in Strensall with over 100 personnel to conduct this exercise within AMSTC Trainer. The long journey from Northern Ireland saw The Unit arrive in the early hours of Saturday morning. Lack of sleep did not deter an early start on Saturday where the morning was spent conducting a walk-through talk about orientation of the Trainer. We had many new personnel with us who had not been on a HOSPEX before so it was important to ensure everyone was happy with the layout and the way the Exercise would be conducted. The months prior to the Exercise were spent between myself (OC Clin), OC Nursing and RegNO to produce an effective training programme prior to the start of the assessment phase. After many teleconferences with AMSTC staff we were confident that we had a programme which would address all clinical staff. Training started in earnest with talks being delivered by Unit members to include SOPs, MMI, Fire Evacuation and many clinical scenarios. These training serials tested our staff and allowed some changes and updates to be made by each department.
The exercise commenced on Tuesday with 204 taking over a hospital of patients just as we would do in reality. It wasn’t long before we were hit with a few developing scenarios. One was the increasing amount of D&V patients arriving at the hospital. This had the potential to clog the hospital and even stop it being a functional trauma facility. Extra tentage was sourced and a dedicated D&V ward was erected which gave those patients bedding down facilities. The amount of casualties arriving at the hospital tested our ability to evaluate, treat and evacuate as soon as possible. The upsurge in casualties culminated in a MMI being declared.
This was managed and directed by the Commanding Officer and myself (now 2IC) in constant communication with SNO and DMD who were controlling the clinical throughput of the patients within the hospital. All of this activity was controlled from the Ops Room where the Ops Officer and HMC staff worked tirelessly to ensure good communication between all departments within the facility whilst also keeping all within the Ops Room updated with what was happening on the ground.
The following statement comes from Cpl at Front of House and I think sums up the feeling of everyone during this Exercise: “Excellent opportunity to learn SOPs by putting them into practice. Time made for debriefing sessions at the end of each casualty intake was invaluable. We were constantly improving our own understanding of the military process for patient pathway and handling. We began to understand and comply with other departments SOPs. Above all staff
remained friendly and approachable”.
This was a very successful Camp and Exercise which was
immensely enjoyed by all. 204 have taken away many points on which to work on and improve as we move through this committed year to ensure all personnel can give their best if called upon for any kind of deployment. A massive well done to all.
Lt Col J McGrath
THE GAZETTE QARANC 9