Bastion's lifesavers (VIDEO)
27 Oct 06
In Afghanistan, medics at Camp Bastion's new field hospital
work with RAF crews to save the lives of soldiers wounded in battle.
A Royal Marine Commando receives treatment for a lower limb injury from the Accident and Emergency (A+E) Team at the medical centre on Camp Bastion
[Picture: Sean Clee]
One of the first buildings – actually a complex of tents – to benefit from air-conditioning at Camp Bastion in Helmand Province was the field hospital.
See Related Links>>> to watch Camp Bastion's lifesavers in action.
With a concrete floor running the length of its 150- metre-long spine, patients were soon being treated in maximum comfort. Major Anton Philpott, the officer commanding, explained that the building mirrors the one put up in Shaibah, Iraq, and reflects many of the lessons learned from Op Telic. The field hospital has its own power, laundry, sewerage, plumbing and infection-control systems. Major Philpott said:
"We have managed to achieve in three months what it took 18 months to do in Iraq."
The hospital was still under construction when staff were required to cope with their first major influx of wounded. Major Philpott said:
"Twenty-four casualties came off the helicopters in 15 minutes, but many of our guys have experience from Iraq, so we all knew what to do and got on with it. You learn to deal with whatever comes through the door."
A Royal Navy Commando Radiologist examines an X-ray to assess the extent of a patients injuries
[Picture: Sean Clee]
The hospital's instant response team is on permanent standby to recover casualties in the field. They frequently deploy by helicopter. If a landing zone is "hot" (under actual or threatened enemy fire), the teams may be quickly dropped off, then lifted with their patients later. Sergeant Paul McDonald said:
"We swoop and scoop. No time is wasted on the ground, and we do most of our work when we are in the air. The pilots really earn their money!"
The hospital is equipped with two operating theatres, but normally only life, limb and eyesight-saving surgery are performed. Most casualties receive stabilising treatment before they are evacuated to the multi-national hospital at Kandahar or back to the UK.
A Royal Navy Commando Radiologist takes an X-ray of a patients injuries. The medical facility is currently being run by the Royal Navy and is made up of all 3 services
[Picture: Sean Clee]
There are beds for 25 patients, although wards can be expanded quickly.
The hospital does not just treat British patients. Battle casualties from the Afghan National Army have also been admitted, and help is offered to local civilians. Major Philpott explained:
"Staff have treated an 18-month-old baby suffering from shrapnel wounds, and a boy with gunshot wounds to the neck.
"Some Taliban detainees have been admitted. They tend to be pretty subdued. Many of them have been fed propaganda about what will happen to them if they are captured by the Coalition. But they receive the same quality of care as the rest."
This article by Ian Carr first appeared in the October 2006 edition of Focus - the newspaper for people in defence.