Page 19 - QARANC Vol 18 No 1 2020

The Gazette QARANC Association 17
throughout the hospital. HMC is the hub of the hospital, communicating information both internally and externally. Key personalities from the hospital are based in HMC; the Commanding Officer, Sergeant Major, Deployed Medical Director, Senior Nursing Officer, Liaison Officers, Aeromedical Evacuation Officer, Hospital Information Manager and administrative staff. Tracking and monitoring hospital activity accurately is imperative to ensure the medical capability is maintained. This makes certain the hospital is prepared for casualties at any possible moment.
A high standard of presence and bearing is required, maintaining minimal disturbance to personnel in a high tempo environment. Respectful communication with all ranks is an essential part of passage of information in and around all aspects of the hospital. The Ward Master is an essential part of a Major Medical Incident (MMI), as accurate, factual details are forwarded to the trauma Team.
Ex KO has been a very different deployment to any I have been on before. This deployment has further developed my ability to communicate effectively amongst a wide hierarchy
Sergeant Davis and Sergeant Odoom
and developed new working relationships. I have also had chance to deliver a very successful celebration of the QARANC 70th anniversary.
Sergeant Siobhan Davis
Lead Infection Prevention
and Control Nurse
I am currently on my second deployment to Oman in the last nine months as I deployed on Ex SAIF SAREEA 3 and now on Ex KHANJAR OMAN. My roles include that of Ward Second in Command (2IC) within the JEFFH and the lead for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC).
As lead for IPC, a job usually undertaken by a nursing officer, I have been utilised as a theatre wide asset undertaking regular audits to monitor compliance to IPC policy, as well as giving advice in all deployed Medical Treatment Facilities (MTFs) from the Forward Staging Area Role 1 to the JEFFH. This IPC role has seen me prepare and deploy the field hospital’s IPC capability maintaining up to 98% IPC compliance throughout the hospital on both deployments in challenging arduous desert conditions.
My second role as deployed Wards 2IC is to support the Wards’
Commander and teams in the daily running of the ward and caring for patients.
As 22 Field Hospital Cadre staff and IC of Wards in the firm base, I have the responsibility for managing and maintaining all medical equipment in accordance with the Unit Equipment Care Directive. This includes ensuring that the Ward department is deployed to Oman and is recovered back to the UK appropriately.
It has been challenging deploying back to back spending time away from my husband, who is also serving, and our three year old daughter. However, overcoming these challenges and celebrating the successes of both deployments has made my time away worthwhile, adding value to my military career.
Sergeant Lauren Odoom
Medical Specialist Nurse
I have been based at Joint Hospital Group South East for the last two years as the HOD on the Acute Medical Unit (AMU). Part of my role as a HOD is completion of staff duty rotas, delivering ward training, mentoring and providing general staff support as well as carrying out clinical