Page 13 - QARANC Vol 14 No 10 2015

THE GAZETTE QARANC 11
Op GRITROCK –
The latter stages of our deployment
I started writing this article in theatre, two weeks before the medical staff were due to handover to Tranche 2. However, that draft has since been scrapped as I have realised, having been back in the UK for four days, that I could not truly reflect on the final part of the tour until I was back home. That was when the reality and magnitude of what we had achieved finally hit me.
The final three weeks of our tour were an emotional roller coaster. Mail was arriving regularly and we were reminded that Christmas was coming by the increasing sight of tinsel, chocolate and the all important Christmas jumpers. Pte White kept Team 4 entertained by his diligent use of Christmas decorations in the Ward Office, ever the perfectionist with the positioning of baubles. Despite the fact that we would be away from our loved ones at Christmas, morale was high.
This was a very busy time in the Ebola virus disease treatment centre (EVDTU). There were several discharges of Ebola survivors which was a joy to be a part of. Everyone from clinical staff, PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) monitors and personnel from the Ops Cell would linger outside of the decontamination area waiting to applaud and cheer as each patient was discharged.
When two nurses, who were best friends and colleagues, were admitted to the facility, staff were admittedly concerned as one of the patients became more unwell than the other. The friends were obviously very concerned for each other and therefore the day that they both tested negative and were discharged was a very good day indeed. The obvious gratitude from both patients was very
poignant and for a brief moment we could revel in their happiness and forget the ill patients who were still suffering inside the facility.
Despite the joy of discharges however, one conversation with two local hygienists had a strong impact on me. Both in their twenties, as they donned their PPE I asked them what they used to do before the Ebola outbreak. One told me that he had been ‘studying Science’, whilst the other had been teacher. They told me that these careers had stopped when the outbreak caused all schools to close. What I admired most about these men is that they had no remorse or regret and they held no grudge. They told me it was their ‘duty’ to serve their country and fight Ebola. The sense of camaraderie I felt was overwhelming.
On reflection, the camaraderie was not just amongst the local people. The EVDTU was built from scratch, starting with the British Army Royal Engineers right through to 22 Field Hospital and the many individual augmentees who set it up and opened the facility. Everyone worked together to get the task done and Tranche 2 personnel continue to operate it as I write this article. The highs and lows of setting up and running an Ebola treatment centre require personnel to work hard, work together and maintain their sense of humour. One thing is certain, Tranche 1 personnel have worked very hard, worked very well as a team and certainly did not lack a sense of humour (the brilliant Christmas musical written by Lt Col Ardley proved that!). It is time now for a belated Christmas and New Year celebration and some well deserved rest.
Cpl Kelly Lupton- MDHU Portsmouth