Military Healthcare Round-up: April 2012

on May 02 by admin

April was a busy month for military healthcare news, from  progress on a new rehabilitation centre to developments in treatment.

Sharing military medical knowledge

Sharing medical knowledge, experience and lessons learned from delivering military medicine are central to improving military healthcare in the future. 16th April saw King’s Centre for Military Health Research host a seminar which brought together participants from the MOD, MPs, academics and charity representatives to discuss research on mental health within the military and to explore effective ways of lessening the impact of military service on mental health.

In the US the Institute for Defense and Government Advancement announced the line-up for the Military Healthcare Convention and Conference which will take place between 21^st and 24^th May. Key speakers will include Major General Robert Kasulke, USA, Commanding General of AR-MEDCOM, and Brigadier General Paul S Dwan, USAF, Deputy Joint Staff Surgeon, MC.

Recovery and rehabilitation developments

Commitment to helping wounded military personnel continues as strongly as ever, with a raft of new developments this month including work on the new home for injured troops, which began on 24^th April. Fisher House will be a short journey from Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and will provide a space where injured military personnel can enjoy a short break away from the hospital with their families.

Other developments this month include work by a former US combat medic to develop a treatment which aids the regeneration process in skeletal muscle, speeding up the healing process and helping wounded soldiers recover faster.

Meanwhile, in Afghanistan US marines have been testing the latest in concussion care, in a programme which looks at both physical and mental wellbeing following involvement in IED explosions.

Training for better military healthcare

In the UK, Navy medics have been training for rapid reaction operations. The Commando Forward Surgical Group is a mobile advanced field hospital which can be put up within an hour, enabling Navy medics to respond quickly to unexpected events where lifesaving care is needed urgently. The field hospital includes a surgical room, an intensive care unit and blood transfusion equipment. Navy medics took part in a training session which saw them test their capabilities to respond by treating mock casualties.

In other training news this month, the British Army blog looks at the training involved in being a TA team medic, as members of 6^th Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland took part in medical training led by 205 Field Hospital.

Operational Service Medals for 1 Medical Regiment

Military medics from 1 Medical Regiment received recognition for their work in Afghanistan when they were presented with their Operational Service Medals for their contribution to Op HERRICK 15, from October 2011 to March 2012.