Archbishop sees preparations for Army Field Hospital
News Article, Strensall Barracks, York, North Yorkshire
Article By: Dave Roberts
First Published: 6 October 2011
Archbishop praises Armed Services as he visits Strensall Barracks
The Archbishop of York paid a visit to Strensall Barracks yesterday to meet the personnel from 208 Field Hospital who are due to be deployed to Afghanistan where they will run the Camp Bastion Field Hospital for 3 months. 208 Field Hospital is Liverpool based and they have come to Strensall to complete and validate their training.
The Archbishop was welcomed to the base by the Padre Mike Newman and was briefed by Major Ritchie Knight on the high level of training that takes place there. The Army Medical Services Training Centre (AMSTC) at the base is the leading training and trauma centre in the world. At the time of the Archbishop's visit, British personnel were training with both Danish and American personnel ahead of their deployment to Afghanistan next week.
The training unit at the Strensall base is a replica of Camp Bastion's hospital. With 4 operating rooms, emergency areas and laboratory, the training unit offers invaluable experience and training. The personnel train in real time and conditions in the unit can be altered at the touch of a button to simulate the dust and heat of Afghanistan. There is also a team of make up artists who create incredible realistic injuries including severed limbs.
In addition to a mock up of an Afghanistan village where medical personnel locate casualties and administer treatment, the mock up of a Chinook helicopter allows training to mirror war conditions where treatment is given during flight. The average flight time is between 10-20 minutes so treatment needs to be rapid.
The Archbishop toured the training unit and met many of the personnel who will be going out next week to Camp Bastion. He also spoke with the American and Danish troops who will be joining the British troops on this mission. The combination of the replica hospital, mock up of the interior of a Chinook and the equipment that is available ensure that the training is as realistic as possible and that personnel are fully prepared for what they face during their time at Camp Bastion. Dr Sentamu was impressed by the size of the training base at Strensall and the level of training that takes place there.
The Archbishop said "You genuinely feel that anybody who is going to be in difficulty out there (in Afghanistan) is going to be given the best medical treatment available.
"It's breathtaking to see very well trained doctors, nurses and paramedics going through an amazing course and you can be rest assured that they are going to do a fantastic job when they are out there.
"It's wonderful to see first of all how committed they are to the training and then to be able to deliver it very well - that's exciting!
"Our armed forces are the best in the world and it's important we keep them, and their families, in our prayers as they go out to Afghanistan. I hope and pray these brave men and women will all return home safely."
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