Page 27 - QARANC Vol 19 No 1 2021

The Gazette QARANC Association 25
and how to deal with an emergency within the COVID-19 isolation area. The combined effort saw military and civilian personnel work together demonstrating great team cohesion. The anticipation of what the future held was an apprehensive period, but planning and calm leadership ensured the training and preparation we had carried out, meant we were flexible to face situations in adversity.
The Medical Centre set up a COVID-19 Management Operations Room (CMOR) which was led by the dental officer and ERI during the day shift and the nursing teams overnight. It provided personnel the opportunity to call for advice or discuss potential COVID-19 symptoms. The guidance provided by AHS changed daily as more was understood about the threat. Any calls to the population were tracked by the CMOR team with date of onset, date isolated, and swabs taken. The results were collated providing critical data for AHS and guided our future planning cycles in daily O-groups.
The CMOR was in high demand as expected in this difficult time with families and Canadian personnel grateful to have our support. A service was initiated to provide testing, consisting of throat swabs in the form of a ‘drive through’. A steady flow of symptomatic patients attended the medical centre receiving quick and easy swabs from the nursing team.
By the beginning of June restrictions were beginning to ease within Alberta. The command decision was made by Canadian HQ and UK HQ for personnel to return to duties. Working with our Canadian medical team, we jointly planned for a mass testing event
UK Nursing staff
in the community of Suffield. Over a four day period, 800 UK and Canadian personnel working within or for BATUS, were tested. These days although long and challenging, were extremely rewarding. We thoroughly enjoyed working with our allies and supporting the community in their return to work. It was found that we had conducted the most swabbing in the province over this period and Alberta Health Services was extremely grateful.
As life begins to adapt to what is now the new normal, the time in BATUS has brought so many amazing experiences to us all. We have solidified our relationship with CAF and civilian personnel. We have adapted well to the unknown and initiated a potential COVID-19 ward which will only continue to adapt to its challenges, in preparation for the future. We have been efficient throughout this time, missing our loved ones with the uncertainty of our return.
This opportunity provided us all with opportunities to strengthen and expand our clinical skills. The experience we have, and the lessons learnt over the last six months will be transferable on our return to the UK and for future situations when deployed overseas.
During this pandemic we created a physical challenge to help distract us from all of the uncertainty. The idea was to have something that was good for our wellbeing, while enhancing team cohesion. The challenge was named ‘BATUS to Buckingham’ covering 5,124 miles, (over 8000km). It involved a ‘run’ to Newfoundland - 2,244 miles, where one of the team was from. We would then ‘row’ from Newfoundland to Brest, France - 2,315miles, cycle
from Brest to Calais - 446miles, row from Calais to Dover - 30 miles. From Dover we would run to the Nightingale Hospital in London - 81 miles, finishing with running the final leg to Buckingham palace - 8 miles.
This challenge was great fun for the whole team, providing great distraction, although the rowing was a real challenge. We held 10k Fridays, 5k Thursdays all in healthy competition with each other to cover the distance. Everyone in the medical centre got involved where they could. It took one 24 hour row and a total of 17 weeks to complete, going very ‘gently’ throughout.
Overall, this experience within DPHC overseas during the COVID-19 pandemic was a great learning experience being clinically and professionally challenging for all involved. It provided unity of the two forces, cementing the already great relationship between UK and Canadian Forces. Positive feedback has been provided frequently for the team’s efforts and performance during this hardship. We have bonded well as a team, frequently keeping morale high even with the dreaded rowing challenge. From this experience, nurses Corporal McCormick and Corporal Ngu have realised their desire to specialise in PHC. Each one of the team has gained something from this unique experience that will be transferable to future situations. It is one military experience we will not forget.
Captain James Krause 5 Strike Command Medical Regiment