Further memorandum from the Ministry of
Defence on medical issues (November 2003)
(Q1182) The Surgeon General said that, to
his knowledge, in only one area were reservists selected from
National Health Service trusts that hosted MDHUs. MoD to confirm
whether this was, in fact, the case. If it was not, MoD to provide
details of the National Health Service trusts with MDHUs where
reservists were drawn from (for Operation Telic), and the number
of reservists drawn from each.
Although the MoD worked closely with the Department
of Health to minimize the effect of the deployment of reservists
from NHS hospitals, and in particular those that host MoD Hospital
Units (MDHUs), critical shortfalls in Accident and Emergency (A&E)
nurses meant that we had no choice but to mobilise two A&E
nurses from Frimley Park Hospital, which hosts an MDHU. In addition,
three A&E nurses from Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham, which
hosts the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine were also deployed.
All five nurses deployed with 202 Fd Hospital (V).
(Q1188) MoD to provide a note on the issue
of whether all medical personnel deployed to Iraq were adequately
prepared and trained. Note to set out the training given to medical
personnel before deploying to Iraq. Also, to confirm whether the
defence medical training organisation/s were able to provide all
the training needed for deployment to Iraq in the timescale required.
The training provided to reservist medical personnel
prior to deployment was largely military and collective training
delivered by the front line commands. There was little formal
medical training required as these reservists were drawn from
jobs in which they were utilising medical skills daily. Similarly,
medical personnel from the regular forces were selected from those
who had already received appropriate medical training. Where necessary,
additional, supplementary medical training was provided for regular
and reservist personnel during the call-up and preparation-to-deploy
phases.
Military surgeons are prepared for deployable
roles in a number of ways by attending appropriate training in
addition to their peacetime civilian practice. Training such as:
— Purpose-designed Surgical Workshops
— Exercise Surgical Training
— Definitive Skills Trauma Training
— Ballistic Trauma training in South
Africa
In addition, we have commissioned a study to
be undertaken jointly by the Professor of Military Surgery and
the Defence Consultant Advisor in Surgery on the "generalist/specialist"
interface as it influences operational surgical capability.
(Q1206) MOD to provide a note on how many
deployed medical staff were employed in administrative duties
(such as commanding a hospital), rather than medical duties, during
Operation Telic.
In total, some 20 medical personnel were deployed
in non-clinical roles, broken down as follows:
MOIC on RFA ARGUS, and as SMO 3 Cdo Bde
2 at NCHQ as SO1 Force Protection and SO2 Public
Health
2 with HQ 1 (UK) Armd Div as Comd Med and SO2 Prev
Med
4 with 1 CS Med Regt as CO and as 3 Sqn Comds
2 with 6 CS Med Regt as CO and 1 Sqn Comd
1 with 5 GS Med Regt as CO
1 with 4 GS Med Regt as CO
1 with 202 Fd Hosp as CO
1 with JFACC as Comd Med
1 with JHC
At HQ JFLogC Comd Med, as Prof Mil Surg, and SO1
Med Ops (RAF)
(Q1207) The Committee was told by DCDS Health
that he understood that, from the Army, only 17 reservists had
"put their papers in" since Operation Telic. MoD to
provide a note setting out the number of reservists from each
of the services who have, to date, resigned/"put their papers
in" since Operation Telic.
As of November 2003, we are aware of the following
numbers of Medical Personnel leaving the Reserve Forces since
returning from Op Telic:
Army—14 (This figure represents the number
of personnel who have left from Field Hospital Units. We are aware
that a number of personnel have left from other TA Medical Units,
and information on this is being collated).
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