Danish medics have been taking advantage of British military medical expertise and training facilities as they prepare to take over the running of the Camp Bastion field hospital in Afghanistan.
Danish military reservist field hospital staff have been training with 2 Medical Brigade at the Army Medical Training Services Centre in Strensall, Yorkshire, ahead of their 3-month deployment (beginning on 20 July) to take over from 202 (Midlands) Field Hospital.
Danish Defence Secretary Soren Gade visited the training center today to view the facilities used by British medics to prepare them for manning the field hospital where most of the British troops who require medical treatment in Afghanistan are seen. The Army Medical Services Training Centre has a mock-up of a field hospital to mirror the facilities in Afghanistan. Training includes dealing with casualties who have lost limbs and learning how to treat civilian casualties who require an Afghan interpreter.
Defence Minister Kevan Jones said:
“We are very pleased that Denmark has agreed to deploy its field hospital staff to Camp Bastion for three months. The Danes are key allies in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan and this is an excellent example of collaboration between our two nations, and within the coalition as a whole. Their highly skilled medical personnel have undergone the same pre-deployment training as our own medics, ensuring that ISAF troops will enjoy the same level of excellent clinical care they have come to expect.”
The Danish Defence Secretary, Soren Gade, said:
“I am very proud of the fact that Denmark is about to relieve British personnel and man the field hospital in Helmand. This is another example of the great cooperation between Denmark and Great Britain that underlines the close relationship and trust between Great Britain and Denmark – both at the political level as well as among the troops on the ground. We are about to take on a task, which is of huge importance for all contributing countries in RC South. The safety and care for our troops remains our single highest priority and I have great confidence in the capabilities of our medical personnel.”
