Page 19 - QARANC Vol 14 No 13 2016

During October 2015, more than 100 Reservists from 243 (Wessex) Field Hospital embarked on their annual camp, Ex Integrated Serpent in Southern California. Reservists joined the U.S. Marines and worked alongside the NEMTI (Naval Expeditionary Medical Training Institute) staff at Camp Pendleton. British and American efforts focused on the construction and running of a Role 2 Field Hospital for the first of two weeks in California.
The first couple of days entailed briefings and the structural build of the hospital. 243 Field Hospital tackled the building phase in high spirits where we learned and worked together to construct the American marquee-like tents for the facility that would provide an ED, ITU, one ward, an operating theatre and a lab. The structures had multiple inside liners that allowed the tents to be durable in extreme weather conditions, heated or air-conditioned and gave the ability to make them secure against biological and chemical attack using positive air pressure. It required attention to detail to ensure the tents were correctly assembled. With the guidance of the NEMTI staff, 243 Field Hospital successfully erected the facility in good time to commence the clinical phase of the exercise.
243 Field Hospital personnel then began the simulation phase running their Role 2 facility in a fictional country in Southern Africa. Reservists took on their trained roles, from ward clerks to nurses and doctors. The staff worked cohesively to assess patients for the appropriate treatment, while the Directing Staff set up scenarios to test the skills and drills of the clinical team. We faced numerous challenges such as logistical obstacles, for instance coping with limited resources, and the ethical dilemmas of setting up a hospital where limited medical treatment exists.
NEMTI staff enthusiastically supported the running of the hospital and supported the scenarios by acting as casualties. As this was my first experience in a clinical exercise of this scale, I feel a key learning point I took away from the exercise is that it is important to be ‘fluid as flexible is too rigid’ and to adapt and react. By applying these principles, I was encouraged to think and plan ahead when delivering treatment in a Role 2 facility.
Once clinical training came to an end, the adventure training phase began. Groups divided up and squeezed into minibuses for the long journey to the Grand Canyon and Mount Charleston. Those who went to Mount Charleston enjoyed a round-robin of activities from horse riding to canoeing on the Colorado River. My group managed to complete the 24-
mile Grand Canyon ‘Rim to Rim’ hike. We tackled the trek in one day, including trekking through the night by torchlight! The trek itself was challenging. The heat was intense, but the overwhelming views made the whole trip worthwhile! It was an unforgettable experience to see one of the Natural Wonders of the World.
This week allowed us to appreciate the American landscape from the lush greenery in the heart of the Canyon to the unique rock formations.
It also made us aware of how harsh this landscape is, with unforgiving heat and limited cover. I feel this exercise gave us a new found respect for preparing ourselves to work in hot environments and the treatment for heat exhaustion.
To round off our annual camp, 243 Field Hospital met for a final parade at Camp Pendleton to commemorate the unit’s history of winning the Croix de Guerre and the recreation of a unit flag that had previously been lost. The CO, Col Taylor, took the opportunity to award medals to personnel who had deployed and served for an extended period of time. This parade was the formal farewell to NEMTI staff before departing for San Diego.
After leaving NEMTI, we got to enjoy a tour around USS Midway, a decommissioned US Navy ship based in San Diego. It was a surreal experience to learn about the history of the ship, which had been the biggest ship in the world until the mid-1950s! We not only heard about the ships history from a tour guide but also straight from the ‘horse’s mouth’ as we met personnel who had served on the ship itself. It was humbling to experience the warm welcome of the Americans whilst visiting their city in military uniform.
Then R&R! Personnel were let loose to venture out into San Diego to see the sites! Some went surfing, visited the football stadium and ate cake at the Cheesecake Factory! I joined a group of fourteen who hired Harley Davidson motorbikes for the day and toured the coast of California.
Overall, Ex Integrated Serpent was very successful for 243 Field Hospital. It demonstrated how determined each member of the unit is and allowed us to bond as a unit. It highlighted how well we can work together and the areas we need to develop for the future. I have full faith that we will continue to progress as a unit in preparation to be put through our paces in York next year.
Corporal Victoria Gilmartin 243 Field Hospital
THE GAZETTE QARANC 17
Exercise Integrated Serpent – 243 (Wessex) Field Hospital