Aeromedical evacuations fly home any service person who needs medical assistance from anywhere outside the UK. This includes those suffering from disease, non-battle injuries, and battlefield injuries.
The number of those suffering illnesses has always previously surpassed battlefield injuries, but during 2007 the number of battlefield casualties has been higher than sick patients. In July, a total of 171 casualties, 95 per cent of them male, were evacuated back to the UK by aeromedical teams. This is so far the highest figure in one month seen so far, even higher than the period of the Second Gulf War, when in March 2003 the highest 'spike' was 128 casulaties.
Squadron Leader Kenny Duffy is the aeromedical liaison officer at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine at Selly Oak:
"Each year we produce statistics with a breakdown of those aeromedically evacuated," he explained. "The total for each month includes disease and non-battle injuries from across the world. Historically, the numbers of casualties suffering from disease and non-battle injury has always been much greater than the number of battlefield injuries.
"For example, between January and December 2006, 331 people were aeromedically evacuated from Operation TELIC; 154 due to disease and 65 suffered battlefield injuries. The remaining 112 were non-battlefield injuries.
"Although statistics have still not been completed for the year 2007, to date this is the first year the number of battlefield injuries has been higher than disease – there has been a steady rise in the operational tempo."
Squadron Leader Duffy is a nurse by trade and has a background working in military hospitals. To him the benefits of the way the military deal with injuries and illnesses sustained on operations are clear:
"The major difference when working with the University Hospital Birmingham Foundation Trust is that the five hospitals surrounding Selly Oak each deal in specific areas, from infectious diseases to eye specialists.
"The injuries that casualties are sustaining are varied and the Trust has an extensive number of surgeons on stand-by, all with specialisms that are best for the patient and their care.
"I know one soldier who suffered extensive damage to his hand from an explosion. Surgeons rebuilt his hand using parts of his ribs – but the surgery needed at least three different specialists, including a vascular surgeon, and a plastic surgery specialist. A military hospital would simply be unable to match this – we provide the NHS with two per cent costs and 98 per cent problems.
"As the number of patients has increased, so has the number of beds available on the ward, and in 2007 we now see an average of 16-24 patients on the ward, compared to April 2006 when 8-10 military beds were needed. No specific numbers of beds are dedicated to the military; instead we work with the Trust to deal with the clinical needs of the patients, and where clinically possible, we will try to put military personnel together."
With the rise in operational tempo and the rise in the number of casualties, the armed forces medical teams have had to meet the demand:
"The tempo has increased and we have met that tempo, and we will sustain that," Sqn Ldr Duffy explained. "The aeromedical teams are doing a fantastic job, a great job, and I am very proud of them."
Colonel Chris Parker, the UK Role Four Medical Group Commander, also believes that military medical staff have been doing an excellent job despite the extra pressure they have found themselves under:
"The tempo of operations has placed a heavy burden across Defence and we are not unusual in this. I am confident that we will continue to cope with the number of casualties coming to the UK via aeromed. We are all working hard to maintain the standard of care throughout the patient's stay and we want the care pathway to appear seamless to the patient.
"We appreciate that for the families of casualties it is as difficult a time as it is for the service person. They deserve a high standard as well as the casualty. My staff work hard to allay any fears for the patient and their family.
"We have found that by working with the families and keeping them informed and giving them a place to stay can actually help the patient. I believe that the care and facilities we provide are sustainable – there is a wealth of support from the welfare officers here, who are focused and have coped amazingly well with the rising number of patients.
"The aeromedical teams who escort patients have very specific training to deal with looking after patients in the air. They are contending with the altitude as there is reduced oxygen, the vibrations of the aircraft, and simply the physiology of working in the air. It is a unique skill which requires specialist training.
"The aeromed teams are working extremely hard, you only have to look at the number of hours they, and everyone who facilitates the pathway, are undertaking. It would be wrong of me to say that the patient care pathway has never been without its problems – to not admit that would be a disservice to those casualties who have experienced a mishap.
"Today we are also much better prepared than we have ever been and we are working hard to improve all the time. Patients expect the highest level of care and support and although there will always be more room for improvement, all of the staff based here at Selly Oak and across the UK and in theatre are delivering the best standard of care possible."
This article, by Heidi Mines, first appeared in RAF News.